UPDATE: NJ weather: Flash flood watch issued for Central Jersey

CENTRAL JERSEY - The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Central Jersey.

A thunderstorm passing through the state is expected to begin around 3 p.m. and last until 11 p.m. It's also expected to bring about 1 to 2 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

In Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties, rain is expected to be its heaviest around 5 p.m., during the rush hour commute.

"Thunderstorms producing heavy rain could result in flash flooding across along and near the Interstate 95 corridor in New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania," the alert said. "1 to 2 inches of rain is expected, though locally higher amounts above 3 inches are possible."

The flash flood watch will expire at midnight for all of Central Jersey.

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As of 4:30 p.m., the severity of the rainfall lightened up in Central Jersey, but is estimated to continue for several more hours.

The excessive rain fall in such a short amount of time can lead to rapid flooding, particularly in urban areas, according to the alert.

The flash flood watch includes not only Central Jersey, but also portions of Mercer, Morris, Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Monmouth counties as well as southeast Pennsylvania.

The storms are a part of a cold front, but forecasts for later in the week are looking more pleasant. The rest of the work week should be sunny with seasonable temperatures, but for the weekend not so much. Rain and thunderstorms are possible on both Saturday and Sunday.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com