There’s good weather news on the horizon: much warmer temperatures are in the cards for the Shore area after a frigid start to the week that did not see temperatures break the freezing mark. But the forecast also brings rain and gusty winds that the National Weather Service said may contribute to falling tree branches.
After another cold day Tuesday – sunny, with a high of 34 degrees – the region will see temperatures rise to 45 degrees Wednesday, also under sunny skies. Another influx of warmth, raising the daytime high to 56 degrees, will arrive Thursday, but it will bring with it rain and wind.
According to the National Weather Service, clouds will move in Wednesday night, leading to showers after 1 p.m. Thursday. Sustained winds will move at 15-20 m.p.h. with gusts reaching 35-40 m.p.h. Showers will continue Thursday night into Friday, however skies are expected to clear during the course of the day, with a high of 54 degrees.
“Windy conditions may cause isolated instances of tree damage and power outages on Thursday,” the NWS office in Mount Holly said in a hazardous weather statement.
The Marine Hazard Risk, a prediction tool for coastal areas, forecasts an “elevated” chance for hazardous conditions Thursday. Though there is no coastal flooding predicted that will be driven by tides, winds may grow to 34 knots (39 m.p.h.) and wave heights will run about 8-feet.
