The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of New Jersey on Friday, May 27.Len Melisurgo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

UPDATE (4:50 p.m.): The severe thunderstorm watch that had been issued earlier today has now been canceled in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Salem and Warren counties. However, the thunderstorm watch remains active until 7 p.m. Friday in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Sussex counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 13 counties in New Jersey because a cold front that will be drifting across the state is expected to trigger strong storms with damaging winds, heavy downpours and small hail Friday afternoon and Friday evening.

The watch was issued shortly before 1 p.m. and will remain effective until 7 p.m. Friday in the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

Although a watch is not as urgent as a warning, it alerts the public to be aware of the potential for severe weather that could be on the way.

UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): Forecasters say strong thunderstorms are moving across parts of Atlantic and Cape May counties, along with southeastern Cumberland and southeastern Burlington now through 3:45 p.m., with small hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph.

UPDATE (2:45 p.m.): The National Weather Service is tracking strong thunderstorms moving into South Jersey at this hour. Although they are not strong enough to trigger warnings, forecasters say these storms could produce pea-size hail and wind gusts up to 40 mph. Areas that could be impacted include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

A special weather statement has been issued for Philadelphia PA, Camden NJ and Wilmington DE until 3:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/XauPJ1yynG

Forecasters say Friday’s warm temperatures and humid air could contribute to instability in the atmosphere, adding to the strength of the thunderstorms that develop in our region.

They also say the instability, coupled with low-level wind shear, could spark a small isolated tornado.

When a severe thunderstorm watch is issued, people should be aware of the possibility of strong storms on the way. A warning is more urgent than a watch.National Weather Service

Forecasters say some of the downpours from the thunderstorms could cause rapid flooding — especially in low-lying areas near rivers, streams and creeks. That’s what prompted a flood watch to be issued earlier today in Hunterdon, Mercer and Warren counties.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania until 7 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/hVqfXBsYSH

The thunderstorms could put a damper on the start of Memorial Day weekend, with many New Jerseyans expected to head to the Shore on Friday for the unofficial start of the summer season. And some rain showers and scattered thunderstorms could linger into Saturday, forecasters said.

The forecast for Sunday and Monday is looking much better than Friday and Saturday, with dry conditions and mostly sunny skies in many areas of the Garden State, and temperatures rising into the low 80s. Although rain is not expected at the Jersey Shore on Sunday or Monday, a sea breeze will likely keep high temperatures stuck in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Note: For the most current weather advisories, watches and warnings that are active in New Jersey, check this National Weather Service alert page.

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com.

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