Live weather updates on the strong winds, storms Wednesday

4:31 p.m.

The wind advisory was extended for another day, with the alert in effect for South Jersey from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. It is in effect Thursday through 7 p.m.

Wind gusts similar to Thursday will be likely during the day Friday, with many places 45-50 mph, and a few places even higher. Continue to secure all loose objects outside. Isolated power outages and large tree branches down will be likely.

3:16 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch has been cancelled. However, strong winds will remain into the evening and the wind advisory will be in effect through 7 p.m.

Most of the power has been restored to Hammonton. Nearly a quarter of Atlantic City Electric customers were out of power in the 2 p.m. hour. Stafford still has a few hundred customers without power.

More wind reports have come in. Among them, a 71 mph wind gust just north of Barnegat Light, over the water. A 51 mph gust roared through Mullica Township at 2:50 p.m., with a mph 48 gust in Fortescue at 1:40 p.m.

2:47 p.m.

2:40 p.m.

The storms largely split around South Jersey. One exception, though, was Long Beach Island and southern Ocean County.

Harvey Cedars reported a 61 mph wind gusts while Beach Haven reported a 51 mph wind gusts.

The severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for the shore counties. The watch was dropped elsewhere in the region.

Around noon, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for all of South Jersey. South Jersey is under a level 2 of 5 risk for severe weather by the Storm Prediction Center, a government agency in Norman, Oklahoma.

A slight risk indicates a few scattered severe storms are possible. The potential for severe weather doesn't guarantee it will occur, but instead highlights the possibility to increase awareness in case storms do develop.

An explanation of the different risk categories for severe thunderstorms.

Damaging winds will be the main threat with the line of storms that comes through. Power outages and snapped tree limbs will be in the realm of possibility. Winds a few thousand feet above our heads are screaming near 60 mph and any thunderstorm can tap into that and bring it down to the surface.

To a lesser extent, hail will need to be watched for. Also, while unlikely, a weak tornado will not be ruled out.

No. Consider that the appetizer for the storms to come.

That line of rain, with embedded rumbles of thunder in Cape May County, were associated with a warm front. Rainfall totals ranged from 0.02 inches in Cape May to 0.43 in Atlantic City, according to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.

Temperatures for 2 p.m. Thursday, according to various computer models. The warmer the air will be, the bettter risk for severe weather, as the sun after the morning rain provided extra juice in the atmosphere for severe weather.

The amount of sunshine, and corresponding temperatures, will be critical to the strength and severity of the storms.

The more sun there is, the more instability it will produce in the atmosphere. The vice versa will be possible as well.

Right now,ThePress forecast is for isolated areas of wind damage, with hail and tornadoes not ruled out.

For that risk to be lowered, temperatures would likely need to stay below 65 degrees with the sun only out for an hour or two.

On the other hand, for a widespread severe weather outbreak, most temperatures would likely need to near 75 degrees. That would mean the sun was out for a few hours and created lots of instability in the air.

So far, the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) has been performing the best. The HRRR has daytime highs around 70 degrees for many before the line of storms comes in, keeping the forecast on target.

Additional downed tree limbs and power outages will be possible into Thursday evening as strong northwesterly winds blow. A wind advisory will be in effect from 1 to 9 p.m. to highlight this threat.

Take down any loose objects and garbage cans before the line of storms arrive.

Wind gusts 40-50 mph will be likely during this time. Typically, issues due to winds occur with winds over 45 mph.

Winds at the 850 millibar level, about 5,000 feet above the surface. This provides a good indicator of what the top gusts will be, as winds can get pulled to the ground from here.

Despite the strong northwesterly winds by this point, a few places will still get into minor flood stage.

The back bays will be most likely to get into just minor flood stage. If your street typically floods, move it a block or so. No major roadway will be likely to close.

Coastal flooding has been a concern since the Wednesday morning high tide. This peaked with the Wednesday evening high tide, when up to a foot of salt water flooding occurred on roadways.

Read more:

Wind alert extended to Friday as strong storms move offshore - Press of Atlantic City