Tornado Watch in Effect Tonight: Live Radar Maps, Impact Zones & Urgent Safety Tips

Residents across New Jersey are on high alert this afternoon as the National Weather Service (NWS) and Storm Prediction Center have issued Tornado Watch 507, effective until 9:00 PM EDT, for 21 counties including Bergen, Camden, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris and Union. Why today’s Tornado Watch matters • A watch means atmospheric conditions are favorable for tornadoes, dangerous straight-line winds and large hail. • Surface temperatures soaring into the upper 80s, dew points near 70 °F and an approaching cold front are combining to create explosive instability. • Wind shear increasing with height will allow any storm that develops to rotate, boosting the risk of funnel clouds and twisters. Active Tornado Warning in Morris County At 2:32 PM EDT a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected near Rockaway, tracking east at 25 mph. Radar indicated rotation and quarter-size hail potential. The warning remains in effect until 3:15 PM and covers Dover, Parsippany, Boonton, Mountain Lakes and surrounding communities. Motorists on I-80 and I-287 should be prepared to take shelter immediately. What to do if a warning is issued where you live 1. Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor; avoid windows. 2. If in a vehicle, mobile home or outdoors, seek a sturdy building right away. 3. Have multiple ways to receive alerts (Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, local TV/apps). 4. Wear sturdy shoes and keep a flashlight, phone charger and bicycle helmet handy for added protection. Additional hazards • Flash Flood Watch: Downpours may dump 2–3 inches per hour, overwhelming urban drainage systems. Turn around, don’t drown. • Cloud-to-ground lightning: “If thunder roars, go indoors.” • Isolated damaging wind gusts over 70 mph and hail up to golf-ball size are possible in the strongest cells. Timing & locations to watch • 3 PM – 6 PM: Storms fire along the I-78/I-287 corridors, spreading toward the Garden State Parkway. • 6 PM – 9 PM: Line of storms pushes toward the Jersey Shore and New York City metro, maintaining tornado potential thanks to evening low-level jet enhancement. • After 9 PM: Threat shifts offshore; lingering showers could still trigger localized flooding. Stay weather-aware Check your local forecast every hour, follow @NWS_MountHolly and @NWSSPC on social media, and keep your phone charged. Quick action during a tornado watch can mean the difference between minor damage and life-threatening catastrophe.