Hurricane Jose may cause tropical storm conditions across part of NJ from late Monday through early Wednesday.

At 5 p.m. Sunday, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for part or all of 5 NJ counties. (AerisWeather)
At 5 p.m. Sunday, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for part or all of 5 NJ counties. (AerisWeather)
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The National Hurricane Center, in collaboration with the National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch from Fenwick Island, Delaware to Nantucket, Massachusetts. That includes portions of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Forecast update for Hurricane Jose as of 5 p.m. Sunday, including the newly issued Tropical Storm Watch (yellow). (NOAA / NHC)
Forecast update for Hurricane Jose as of 5 p.m. Sunday, including the newly issued Tropical Storm Watch (yellow). (NOAA / NHC)
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For New Jersey, the watch area includes Monmouth, Ocean, southeastern Burlington, Atlantic and Cape May counties.

A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within 36 hours. It does not mean such conditions are guaranteed to occur, and technically has nothing to do with rain and/or surf conditions. (A separate Storm Surge Watch/Warning may be issued, if warranted.)

As confidence grows and the storm nears, the watch may be upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning. Such a warning is already in effect for the off-shore ocean waters 20 nautical miles east of New Jersey.

Important note: The issuance of this watch does not mean the forecast and/or expected conditions have changed. It's just the next step in cueing emergency management officials to continue storm preparations.

I still expect New Jersey will experience 6+ foot ocean waves, 2+ feet of storm surge, 50+ mph winds, and 1 to 3+ inches of rain. The storm's most significant impacts are still expected to stay east of the Jersey Shore.

According to the watch text, "Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes is possible. Unsecured lightweight objects could be blown around." Furthermore, road closures may be needed during the height of the storm due to flooding and/or wind-blown debris.

New Jersey's weather and surf conditions will go downhill starting Monday night, with the peak of the storm on Tuesday.

Keep an eye and an ear right here for continued updates on Hurricane Jose. Next regular weather blog post expected by 7 a.m. Monday.

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