A strong cold front is expected to move through the region later this evening, bringing periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, with the potential for a few embedded thunderstorms. Ahead of the front, a surge of unseasonably warm air continues to advance up the East Coast, allowing afternoon temperatures to rise into the upper 50s to near 60 degrees.
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM FRIDAY TO 1 AM EST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected Thursday night through Friday morning. Winds turn to the northwest behind a strong cold front Friday afternoon. There may be a lull in the strongest wind gusts around midday Friday before the cold front passes through the region. Wind gusts in the wake of the front up to 50 MPH are possible. * WHERE...In Delaware, Delaware Beaches County. In New Jersey, Eastern Monmouth, Western Monmouth, Atlantic, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Cape May, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean, Ocean, and Southeastern Burlington Counties. * WHEN...From 1 AM Friday to 1 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
As the frontal boundary approaches, winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible across portions of New England and the Mid-Atlantic. A Wind Advisory is in effect for several areas. Rainfall totals are currently forecast to range between 0.50 and 1.50 inches, which will be beneficial in helping to alleviate ongoing drought conditions across much of the eastern United States.
The sharp temperature gradient associated with the frontal passage may provide enough atmospheric instability to support a narrow line of embedded thunderstorms. Within this line, a strong low-level jet could allow isolated stronger wind gusts to mix down to the surface. While widespread severe weather is not anticipated, localized areas may experience brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
Behind the front, gusty conditions will persist through Friday, with winds continuing to gust between 40 and 50 mph at times. Skies will gradually clear as cooler air filters into the region, bringing a return to sunshine and more seasonable temperatures.