Some thunderstorms could deliver dangerous lightning, small hail and damaging wind gusts, forecasters say.
If you have any outdoor plans on Saturday, keep your eye on the sky.
Forecasters say there's a risk of severe thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and later in the day, because of an approaching warm front and instability in the atmosphere. Some of the storm cells could drop small hail and pack wind gusts strong enough to topple trees and damage homes -- similar to what occurred in parts of New Jersey earlier this week.
According to a hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service, strong storms could develop in any region of the Garden State on Saturday, but the threat is slightly lower in far southern counties, like Cape May and Cumberland.
12 of the worst storms ever to hit N.J.
"While there remains some uncertainty with the evolution and placement of thunderstorms, some severe thunderstorms are possible mainly in the afternoon and evening with damaging wind gusts and hail," the weather service said. "Those with outdoor plans or events should be aware of the risk for severe thunderstorms."
Valerie Meola, a meteorologist at the weather service's regional office in Mount Holly, said New Jerseyans should monitor the latest forecast and use common sense when making plans for the weekend.
"You should always be aware of your surroundings, regardless of what you're doing," Meola said. "If the sky looks dark, that should be a clue to maybe go inside or pay close attention."
If nasty storms do develop, they would mark the third time in seven days that New Jersey was hit by strong thunderstorms. Last Sunday, some parts of the state were pounded with torrential rain and wind gusts as high as 60 to 70 mph. One gust of 74 mph was detected in Camden County, and dozens of trees were knocked down by the winds.
On Wednesday, another batch of strong storms swept through the state, toppling trees and utility wires in several counties and causing more than 45,000 homes and businesses to lose power. In both cases, the hardest-hit area of the state was South Jersey.
Saturday is expected to start out with partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid-80s across most of the state, but clouds will be on the rise during the early afternoon, along with humidity. The outlook for Sunday is warm, dry, but breezy, with temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s.
Severe thunderstorms possible Saturday afternoon and evening with locally damaging winds and hail. pic.twitter.com/8pwZJp7sc3
-- NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 10, 2016
STORM SAFETY TIPS
If a thunderstorm is on the way, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from lightning, strong winds and flooding. Here are a bunch of safety tips provided by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
If you are indoors when a storm is approaching:
- Make sure windows and doors are securely closed. Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by wind, the blinds will prevent glass from shattering into your home.
- Do not handle corded telephones or electrical appliances. Avoid bathtubs, water faucets and sinks. Telephone lines, electrical lines and metal pipes can all conduct electricity.
- Turn off your air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job.
If you are outdoors when a storm is approaching:
- Stay away from bodies of water. If you are boating or swimming, get to land immediately.
- Try to get into a building or a car, but avoid convertibles.
- If no structure is available, find a low spot away from trees, fences and poles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding. Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or camping equipment. If you are in the woods, find an area protected by a low clump of trees. Never stand underneath a single large tree in the open.
- As quickly as possible, make your body the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. Squat very low to the ground with your hands on your knees, only touching the ground with your feet. Do not lie down.
- If you are in a car when a storm hits, pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle, stay inside the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until heavy rains subside.
- Avoid flooded roadways. Remember the weather service slogan, "Turn Around, Don't Drown."
- Note: The rubber tires will not protect your car from being struck by lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle will provide increased protection if you are not touching metal in the car. You are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
