Sunday looks like the better of the two weekend days
While rain is falling across nearly all of New Jersey early Friday morning, forecasters have slightly downgraded how much precipitation the state is likely to receive.
Steady rain could turn to showers by this afternoon, which are expected to continue through the evening and overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Here are today's forecast rainfall amounts. #mdwx #dewx #njwx #pawx pic.twitter.com/Iha1twRITL
-- NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) May 5, 2017
Somewhere between three-quarters of an inch and 1.5 inches of rain will fall in total, somewhat less than 1 to 2 inches previously forecast.
The rain will be accompanied by winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour with slightly higher gusts.
Though no flood advisories or warnings have been issued, there is a possibility of street flooding in areas with poor drainage. Temperatures will climb into the mid 60s by mid-afternoon, when the rain is supposed to lighten.
The evening and overnight will be mostly cloudy with some lingering showers and lows dipping into the 50s.
Cool, wet weather to linger for weeks
Unsettled weather continues into Saturday when more showers are possible. The best chance for rain is in the northwestern part of the state. Highs on Saturday will be in the 60s before falling into the 40s at night, when most of the precipitation will diminish.
Sunday should be partly sunny but slightly cooler -- highs will only reach the upper 50s and low 60s. A popup shower can't be ruled out.
Wind alert
As of 10:30 a.m., heavy rain showers were moving through Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties, and the National Weather Service said winds as strong as 45 mph are possible. Earlier in the morning, heavy bands of rain were moving through southern New Jersey.
Flood advisory
At about 10:45 a.m., a flood advisory was issued for Ocean County, southeastern Atlantic County and southeastern Burlington County, effective through 2:45 p.m.
The weather service said radar showed a heavy batch of rain over those locations, which could cause minor flooding in low-lying areas and in places with poor drainage. Forecasters said about 1 inch of rain has already fallen on Friday, and another inch is possible.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.