Flood Advisory Issued for Tonight

As heavy rains pounded the area this morning, the National Weather Service extended a coastal flood watch for much of coastal New Jersey to cover tonight's high tide.

Tides are expected to crest in local oceanfront towns not long after 8 p.m. at about 7 feet above mean low tide, prompting the NWS to advise residents to park their cars away from areas where standing water collects and to avoid driving through flood waters.

Rain and thunderstorms – occasionally powerful ones, which could dump a lot of rain is a short amount of time – are expected to continue today and tomorrow, according to the current forecast. More than two inches of rain could fall by Thursday.

State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, today released a statement advising caution in the coming days.

“Be alert and be prepared for adverse conditions,” he said. “Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. If you are asked to evacuate or take other protective actions, follow the advice of emergency officials. ”

Road conditions throughout the state can be monitored online using 511NJ.org. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management website also offers resources and updates during dangerous conditions.

Here's the outlook for Manchester for the next few days, according to the National Weather Service's Mount Holly station:

Tonight: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm, some producing heavy rainfall. Low around 61. Southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. 

Wednesday: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. East wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. 

Wednesday Night: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then rain likely. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. Southeast wind between 7 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. 

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. 

Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.