More of the same expected through Saturday as coastal storm lingers

     Radar image at 9:45 a.m. Friday. (Image: Weather Underground)

    Radar image at 9:45 a.m. Friday. (Image: Weather Underground)

    A slow-moving coastal system continues to inch north toward New Jersey but some relief may be on the way beginning Saturday. 

    The storm, situated offshore near the Virgina/North Carolina border, will “wobble almost in place for the next 24 to 36 hours” before being pushed to the south by a high pressure system to the north, according to the latest forecast discussion issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, NJ. 

    “Between now and then we expect more of the same: persistent onshore flow, periods of rain, and minor tidal flooding at the times of high tide,” the forecast notes.

    It will continue to be breezy at the coast Friday, with a northeast wind gusting to 25 miles per hour, but the forecast states that the winds might diminish Friday evening.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Periods of rain will continue to be mainly concentrated in South Jersey, where precipitation has been spinning in off the ocean Friday morning, but the entire state should see at least some precipitation Friday. Total expected rainfall amounts were significantly reduced by the National Weather Service yesterday. 

    As the high pressure system over New England pushes south Friday evening, it will begin to nudge the coastal storm that has been responsible for days of raw weather in the New Jersey area to the south. But the onshore flow will continue, delivering a threat of minor coastal flooding through Saturday.

    A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect through the Saturday afternoon high tide cycle for the entire New Jersey oceafront, the lower Delaware Bay, the Raritan Bay, and all back bays. 

    “There should be widespread minor tidal flooding. Given the continuing onshore flow, back bay and inlet tidal flooding should be greater than average,” the National Weather Service advises. 

    With the onshore flow expected through the weekend at the shore, skies will likely remain overcast with a chance of drizzle Saturday. Improvement is expected for Sunday, especially away from the coast. High temperatures will be in the middle to upper 60s. 

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal