The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for two counties in Central New Jersey as a line of intense thunderstorms began to sweep across parts of the state Monday night, with forecasters urging residents in the affected areas to seek immediate shelter inside a sturdy building.
A tornado warning was issued at about 9:25 p.m. Monday, effective until 10 p.m., for northeastern Monmouth County and southeastern Middlesex County.
UPDATE: The tornado warning has expired as of 9:45 p.m., and there were no confirmed reports of any funnel clouds touching down on the ground tonight in Middlesex or Monmouth counties, the National Weather Service told NJ Advance Media. There also have been no reports of significant storm-related damage as of 9:55 p.m.
Strong thunderstorms, fueled by a cold front clashing with warm temperatures, have been moving across several areas of eastern Pennsylvania during the past three hours, and forecasters said some of those cells could generate funnel clouds because of instability and wind shear in the atmosphere.
Tornado warnings are typically issued when meteorologists detect cloud rotation on weather radar screens or if someone from the public reports a sighting of a funnel cloud spinning in the sky.
A tornado warning is more urgent than a tornado watch, so it should be taken seriously. A watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop, but there’s no immediate threat.National Weather Service
If your local area is under a tornado warning, take shelter inside a sturdy structure. The weather service says a tornado warning means there’s a possibility of “imminent danger to life and property.”
The weather service says people should head for the basement or lower level of a house or building. If there is no basement, stay in an interior room or closet. If you’re driving, park your car and seek shelter.
Forecasters say people in tornado-warned areas should stay away from windows, because debris can be blown through the glass.
Current weather radar
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Len Melisurgo may be reached at [email protected] or on X at @LensReality.
