A team of meteorologists will fan across parts of southwestern New Jersey to assess the damage after a tornado hit Gloucester CountyThursday night and determine whether any of the other reports of rotating winds were separate tornadoes or part of the same storm cell.
The National Weather Service says the storm survey will take place in the Mullica Hill section of Harrison Township, where the tornado struck, as well as in Salem and Woodstown in Salem County and in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township in Camden County.
The survey will determine the strength and path of the tornado. The results of the survey are expected to be available by 5 p.m.
UPDATE (10:40 a.m. Friday): A survey team from the National Weather Service has determined that the damage in Salem County was caused by straight-line winds from a strong thunderstorm, not by a tornado. Those winds were estimated at 60 to 80 mph. The weather service still believes a small tornado touched down in nearby Gloucester County, and the agency is continuing its damage survey in that area.
A video shared with NJ.com shows a grill and backyard furniture being tossed around the deck outside a home in Mullica Hill. Other videos also showed what appeared to be funnel clouds
Severe thunderstorms swept through parts of South Jersey on Thursday evening. More than 2 inches of rain fell in Woodstown, Mansfield, Mannington, South Harrison and Pennsauken, according to the state climatologist’s office.
There are no tornadoes in our near future, with dry, sunny and mild conditions expected in New Jersey Friday and Saturday in New Jersey, although it will be breezy Friday afternoon. Highs will be in the 70s this afternoon and the 80s on Saturday.
There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday for Father’s Day, when temperatures will likely climb into the 80s.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Len Melisurgo contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman.
