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

The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather alerts in parts of New Jersey on Thursday, June 19, with strong thunderstorms moving across the region.Len Melisurgo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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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.

Shortly afterward, the weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Morris and Somerset counties. That warning was active through 3:15 p.m., and the warning for Essex and Union was active through 3:30 p.m.

(See the latest weather alerts listed below)

The weather service said some of the storm cells that are moving through the region could bring gusts as high as 60 mph along with large hail, drenching rain and frequent lightning.

Forecasters say Thursday’s storms are expected to be more widespread than Wednesday’s storms, and they could spawn isolated tornadoes because of the intense heat, humidity and strong wind shear.

Wind shear, the change of wind speed and direction at different heights in the atmosphere, is a key ingredient in the formation of tornadoes.

Forecasters say there's a slight risk of an isolated tornado touching down in New Jersey on Thursday, June 19, when strong thunderstorms are expected to sweep across the region.Storm Prediction Center

All 21 counties in New Jersey remain under a severe thunderstorm watch, which is not as urgent was a warning, until 9 p.m. Thursday.

Latest N.J. weather alerts

These are among the latest weather alerts issued in New Jersey on Thursday, June 19:

Severe thunderstorm warning for Essex County, Hudson County and Union County, effective 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warning for western Passaic County, effective 3:32 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warning for north-central Morris County and central Sussex County, effective 3:31 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warning for southwestern Morris County, northeastern Hunterdon County and northwestern Somerset County, effective 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warning for Hudson County, northeastern Union County, southeastern Bergen County and southeastern Essex County, effective 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Current weather radar

Stories by Len Melisurgo

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality.

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