UPDATE: Flash flood warnings issued. Severe thunderstorms in forecast today.
A flood watch has been issued for 17 New Jersey counties starting Sunday night with up to 5 inches of rain possible from multiple rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms expected through Monday.
"Locally heavy rainfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour may cause flash flooding of urban and poor drainage areas, creeks, and streams," the National Weather Service said Sunday afternoon. "Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible with localized amounts to 3 to 5 inches."
The flood watch takes effect at 8 p.m. and continues through Monday evening.
It includes Bergen, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren and western Burlington counties.
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Rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop Sunday evening and become more widespread overnight.
The heaviest rain is expected Monday and some severe thunderstorms could include high winds.
"While flash flooding is anticipated to be the primary threat from any thunderstorms through Monday, isolated severe thunderstorms could produce localized wind damage," the weather service said.
The Weather Prediction Center has placed northern New Jersey in a slight risk, level 2 of 4, for excessive rainfall on Monday.
Northern and central counties are under a marginal risk, level 1 of 5, for severe thunderstorms.
Additional showers and thunderstorms are possible Tuesday as warm and humid conditions continue.
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