What began as a picture-perfect long weekend at the Jersey Shore will meet a soggy end Monday, as three days of temperatures in the 80s, sunny skies and light winds end with a storm that could drop more than an inch of rain.
Recently downgraded Tropical Storm Bonnie is expected to affect nearly the entire eastern seaboard, from Georgia to New England, the National Weather Service said.
“Tropical moisture extending northward off the Atlantic will focus a broader axis of moderate to heavy rainfall up through the Mid-Atlantic and lower New England,” a statement from the agency said. “Much of the heavier activity is forecast to reside closer to the coast which is where much of the moisture should channel. This entire region can expect an increased risk of flash flooding given the continued precipitation the next couple of days.”
Showers and thunderstorms are possible all day Monday, with a high of 69. Winds will remain relatively light at about 8-10 m.p.h. Most of the rain and thunderstorms will end by 8 p.m., though some lingering showers are possible before a layer of fog moves in late Monday into early Tuesday morning. Patchy fog Tuesday morning will give way to partly sunny skies later in the day.
Despite the tropical origin of the moisture, surf isn’t expected to be a significant issue. Wave heights will top of at 3-4 feet, the National Weather Service said.