Flood Watch Issued As Nor’Easter Could Bring 4 Inches of Rain to N.J. Shore Saturday

Expected rainfall totals in the March 23, 2024 storm. (Credit: NWS)

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the entire Shore area, as a storm system approaches with the potential to drop four inches of rain – or more in some areas – on the region Saturday.

The flood watch is in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. The flooding referenced will primarily be caused by rain rather than tides, though tides may still run high this weekend.

Widespread heavy rainfall of 2 to 3.5 inches is forecast from Friday night through Saturday evening with locally higher amounts possible, the NWS said.

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“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the watch statement said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”

Good afternoon! It's shaping up to be a very wet, windy weekend with 2-3+ inches of rainfall forecast for the period Friday night through Saturday evening. This will bring the threat of urban and small stream flooding Saturday with river flooding possible by Sunday. pic.twitter.com/b9rvv9SEW8

— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 21, 2024

Rain is expected to move into the area after 2 a.m. Saturday morning, the NWS forecast said. The worst of the storm will come during the day Saturday, when 1-2 inches or more of rain will fall within hours. It will also be windy, with a southeast wind 20 to 30 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 40 m.p.h. The winds will gradually shift to the northeast.

Rain will continue until about 11 p.m. Saturday night, with windy conditions continuing. Sunday will bring partly sunny skies with a high near 47. But it will remain windy, with a north wind 25 to 30 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 40 m.p.h.