Ashtyn Asay New Jersey is getting an early taste of fall storm season. A developing nor’easter is expected to bring coastal flooding, high surf, strong winds, and rain to parts of the state through the weekend, with the Jersey Shore facing the most significant impacts. Farther inland, the forecast is less dramatic, with breezy conditions, clouds, and lighter rainfall expected. The storm’s exact track is still uncertain, so conditions could shift as the system strengthens. Here’s what we know.
What’s Happening With the Weather?
According to The Weather Channel, a low-pressure system is developing off the East Coast while high pressure sits to the north, creating persistent northeast winds along the coast. Those winds are already pushing ocean and bay water toward the shoreline, resulting in coastal flooding during high tide. The storm is expected to strengthen later this week as it moves north, with its biggest impacts currently expected across New England.
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The Jersey Shore: The Biggest NJ Impacts
The Shore is where residents should pay the closest attention. The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, and southeastern Burlington counties from 4PM Wednesday, September 23rd, through 2AM Saturday, September 26th. One to two feet of inundation is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, with widespread roadway flooding possible. The NWS says moderate tidal flooding could continue into the weekend, and major flooding cannot be ruled out.
The Shore is also facing strong northeast winds and high surf. The NWS says persistent northeast flow will continue through the week, while The Weather Channel is forecasting occasional 40 to 50 MPH gusts along the coast from the Jersey Shore to Delaware. The ocean will be rough, too. Large waves and persistent onshore winds could contribute to beach erosion and dangerous surf, with multiple rounds of coastal flooding possible around high tide through early this weekend.
Monmouth County
Monmouth County will see a split between coastal and inland impacts. Eastern Monmouth is under a Coastal Flood Advisory, High Surf Advisory, and High Rip Current Risk, with up to one foot of inundation possible in low-lying areas and 6- to 12-foot breaking waves expected in the surf zone. Western Monmouth is also under a Coastal Flood Advisory, with breezy conditions and northeast winds gusting up to 40 MPH Wednesday.
North Jersey: Windy, Cloudy, and Cooler
For Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties, as well as the surrounding North Jersey suburbs, the forecast is much less severe than along the coast. Some rain is possible, particularly later Friday into Saturday, but the heaviest rainfall is expected farther north and east. The Weather Channel says at least light rain could reach New Jersey on Saturday, while showers and gusty winds could linger Sunday. Residents in places like Hoboken, Jersey City, Montclair, Newark, and Bergen County should be prepared for a breezy, unsettled few days and keep an eye on the forecast if they have outdoor plans.
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What NJ Residents Need to Know
The main takeaway: This is a very different storm depending on where you live. Inland North Jersey is looking at a breezy, cooler, and potentially rainy stretch, while the Jersey Shore is dealing with a much more significant coastal threat. If you live near the coast, a bay, or a tidal waterway, pay particular attention to the forecast around high tide. The NWS warns that widespread roadway flooding is possible in vulnerable coastal and bayside communities, with some roads potentially becoming impassable.
If you’re heading to the beach this weekend, keep in mind that the combination of large waves, strong onshore winds, coastal flooding, and dangerous rip currents could make ocean conditions hazardous. The storm’s exact track is still evolving, so residents should check updated forecasts before heading out, particularly on Friday, September 25th, and Saturday, September 26th.
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