A stretch of hot, humid weather and repeated rounds of heavy rain will continue through the first week of August as Central Jersey deals with flooding concerns after soaking thunderstorms early Monday.
A flash flood warning for Middlesex County has been extended until 2:45 p.m. Monday. While the flash flood warning for Somerset County expired at 10 a.m., a flash flood watch remains in effect across the region until 11 p.m. as additional showers and thunderstorms are expected.
The National Weather Service expects chances for rain on five of the next six days, with Tuesday forecast to be the only dry day.
Forecasters said a slow-moving cold front crossing the region Monday, combined with a jet stream disturbance overhead, will increase the potential for additional storms.
The weather service is forecasting 1 to 3 inches of rain across much of Central Jersey, with some locations potentially receiving 4 to 5 inches.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms that moved through the region around 3 a.m. Monday dropped between 1.5 and 2.3 inches of rain, leading to flooding on some roadways.
More: How much rain has fallen in Central Jersey? See 24-hour totals
At about 3 a.m., Raritan Borough police responded to a report of a Mini Cooper stranded in floodwaters on Route 206 beneath the railroad bridge. Black Point Road in Branchburg also was closed because of flooding. Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick was closed in both directions as of 11 a.m. Monday.
The Raritan River at Bound Brook rose to about 22 feet by 11 a.m. Monday, roughly 6 feet below the level at which minor flooding begins.
The Millstone River at Weston, just south of Manville, reached about 5 feet Monday morning, also well below minor flood stage.
After Monday's storms move out, sunny skies are expected Tuesday before the chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Wednesday afternoon. Forecasters put the chance of precipitation Wednesday at 60%.
More unsettled weather is expected later in the week. The National Weather Service forecasts a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening and a 40% chance Friday as hot and humid conditions continue into the weekend.
While skies may be mostly sunny Saturday and Sunday, forecasters still predict a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and a 30% chance Sunday.
Because Monday morning's storms were not accompanied by damaging winds, power outages have remained limited. As of 10:45 a.m., utility reports showed 105 customers without power in Middlesex County, 41 in Union County, 26 in Somerset County and 15 in Hunterdon County.
Yes. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across New Jersey throughout Monday, with periods of heavy rain and localized flooding possible, according to the latest NOAA forecast.
Flash Flood Warnings were issued Monday morning for parts of Middlesex, Somerset, Morris, Mercer and Hunterdon counties after heavy rain moved across the region. Additional warnings could be issued later if storms continue to redevelop.
According to the National Weather Service forecast, most areas could receive 1 to 2 inches of rain in New Jersey, while localized amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible. Rainfall rates could reach 1 to 3 inches per hour in the heaviest storms.
Periods of rain and thunderstorms are expected through Monday, with conditions improving later tonight. Another round of showers and storms may arrive Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Yes, there is a risk for strong to severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service's forecast says isolated severe thunderstorms could develop across NJ later Monday, with damaging wind gusts the main threat. However, flash flooding and heavy rain remain the bigger concern, NOAA said.
Check the latest New Jersey weather radar to track showers, thunderstorms and any developing severe weather moving across the state.
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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Flood threat grows as Central Jersey faces days of rain, storms