A powerful storm packing the potential for heavy rain, gusty winds, lightning and even the chance for an isolated tornado, especially in southern and central New Jersey, is surging toward the tri-state area after toppling trees and flooding roadways as it tore through the Midwest.

The severe threat that forecasters initially predicted would cover a larger swath of the region has dissipated slightly as the storm veered south toward Baltimore, but meteorologists say the heavy rain will still be a problem for the tri-state area.

Forecasters predict 1 to 2 inches of rain will fall on swollen rivers and streams and ground that’s already saturated from earlier storms that have dumped up to 7 inches of water on the region in less than a week.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch the five boroughs, Long Island, upstate New York, most of New Jersey and Fairfield County in Connecticut through Saturday morning.

A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for Monmouth, Ocean, Hunterdon and Somerset counties in New Jersey.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to begin moving in around 11 a.m. Thursday. Heavy rain is forecast to pound the region from 1 p.m. through the evening commute and overnight hours before transitioning to a light drizzle early Friday. Lingering showers will move out by mid-morning Friday as temperatures climb back up into the high 60s.

New Jersey is expected to bear the brunt of any severe weather that hits the tri-state area. The state’s Emergency Operations Center opened at 8 a.m. Thursday and emergency management officials will monitor the progress of the storm that’s left behind a trail destruction in the Midwest.

Utilities are preparing for power outages because trees are vulnerable to the wet ground and strong winds. NJ Transit is cross honoring tickets to ease the commute if the storm creates problems on the roads or rails.

(Source: NBC New York)