Several counties in central and southern New Jersey are targeted by a wind alert issued by the National Weather Service. Lots of flight delays at Newark airport.
At least two bands of heavy rain moving through New Jersey Thursday afternoon could pack wind gusts as strong as 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Shortly after 1 p.m., the weather service's regional office in Mount Holly issued an alert about heavy downpours and strong winds associated with rain storms pushing across the Garden State from eastern Pennsylvania.
"Wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible with these showers," the weather service said in a special weather statement. "Heavier rainfall embedded within the line of showers will drop up to one half of an inch of rain, which may cause some ponding of water in low-lying areas and on roadways. "
April snow expected on Saturday
The areas targeted by the wind and rain alert are Atlantic, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Salem, northwestern Burlington, southeastern Burlington and western Monmouth.
The weather service said the showers could intensify as they move north and east during the afternoon. Most of the showers are expected to dissipate by Thursday evening, but the nasty weather has already led to 47 flight cancellations and 189 delayed flights at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to FlightAware.
After a cloudy, breezy day on Friday, cold air from Canada will be returning to New Jersey early Saturday, setting the stage for a fast-moving storm system that is expected to bring some rain and snow. Some northern sections of the Garden State could get whitened by 2 to 3 inches of snow by Saturday evening, forecasters said.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.