The slow and gradual snow melt has helped the Garden State avoid major stream or river flooding as of early Wednesday evening.
Despite the steady rain and continued snow melt, most streams and rivers across New Jersey were faring well as of early Wednesday evening, but one in Hunterdon County was getting close to reaching flood stage.
Hydrologic maps, updated around the clock by the National Weather Service, showed no flooding at most of the more than 90 gauges that monitor the level of water bodies throughout the state.
But a flood watch was upgraded to a flood warning for southeastern Hunterdon County, effective until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, because the Neshanic River in Reaville "was approaching its flood stage of 6.5 feet," the weather service said. "Roads are subject to closure in the vicinity of the river."
Reaville is at the border of East Amwell and Raritan Township.
Nearly half of N.J. under flood watch from rain, melting snow
A flood watch remains in effect for Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Salem, Somerset and Warren counties, as well as most of Hunterdon, northwestern Burlington and western Monmouth, through Thursday afternoon.
The watch was issued by the weather service's regional office in Mount Holly because of the steady rain, coupled with the melting snow from the January blizzard, which dumped 10 to 20 inches of snow over large portions of the state, and as much as 30 inches in some areas.
One big factor helping the state avoid significant flooding so far has been the lack of torrential downpours after the snowstorm, said Mitchell Gaines, a meteorologist at the weather service.
"The snow melt has been gradual. It's been slowly going down," Gaines said Wednesday afternoon. "We've had a lot of time for everything to seep in."
The weather service is continuing to keep a close eye on the streams and rivers, with pockets of heavy rain moving across the state Wednesday evening before tapering off Thursday morning. Some areas of northern New Jersey picked up a solid inch of rain during a heavy downpour in the late afternoon.
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"Minor to moderate river flooding is likely tonight and Thursday across portions of the Raritan and Passaic basins of north-central New Jersey," the weather service said in its updated flood watch Wednesday afternoon. "Road closures are possible later today into Thursday in poor drainage areas and near flooded streams, especially in the proximity of the Interstate 78 corridor."
How to check status of streams and rivers
To check the updated water level of streams and rivers across New Jersey, go to the National Weather Service's Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service map.
The map allows you to zoom in on a specific area and, if you click one of the monitoring locations, it provides detailed information about the current water level and what would be expected to happen if the level rises to near-flood stage or flood stage.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality. Find NJ.com on Facebook.