N.J. weather: Severe thunderstorm warnings issued as storms ramp up with 60 mph winds

Parts of New Jersey are getting pelted by strong thunderstorms with heavy downpours, penny-sized hail and gusty winds, prompting the National Weather Service to issue severe thunderstorm warnings in several counties.

The first thunderstorm warnings of the day were issued shortly before 2:40 p.m. Thursday for Essex and Union counties because of a thunderstorm cell that was moving in from the Basking Ridge area of Somerset County.

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