The Alternative Press

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – A rash of severe weather that hit Sussex County late this afternoon, is expected to continue through early this evening.

Sussex County has experienced some weather-related issues already, with downed tree limbs around the area, including one that required intervention on Sparta Avenue in Sparta, with JCP&L cutting down a tree limb on one of the wires.

There are currently outages in the county according to the JCP&L website, with less than 5 outages in Andover Township, with 14 reported out in Frankford Township, less than five homes out in Hampton Township, 180 residents out in Sandyston Township, 200 residents without power in Sparta Township, and 118 in Walpack Township, with a total of 516 residents currently without power in the county.

JCP&L provides updates every 15 minutes on their website. Click here for New Jersey outages. 

“It’s good to see the sun,” said Andy Ball of Main Street Marketing and Events this morning, who coordinates 5K and 10K races around the area.

In spite of a spurt of rain early in the morning before the Sussex County Sheriff’s Crimestoppers 5K/10K Run, the sun came out, and high humidity returned.

The Andover Township Third Annual Charity Softball Tournament also continued today, with players continuing to play through the rain this morning, and up until the thunder and lightning started in the late afternoon.

In the county, several events have, however, been rescheduled due to the rain. Byram Day, which was originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until tomorrow.

“Due to potential of severe weather, Byram Day was rescheduled for Sunday, September 9, 2012, 12:00pm-5:00pm Neill Gylling Park,” was the statement on Byram Township’s website.

Hardyston Township’s Hardyston Day did not list a rescheduled date for Hardyston Day, which was canceled today also due to the weather.

“In the interest of public safety, Hardyston Township has canceled Hardyston Day for today, September 8. Plans are already in the works to reschedule, including the concert and fireworks. Please share this message with those you know who were planning to attend,” was the message on Hardyston’s website.

Tomorrow’s 11^th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Sussex County Community College is scheduled, rain or shine, although tomorrow’s forecast for its 4pm start time is expected to be sunny and warm, with lower humidity.

The Weather Channel has reported showers and thunderstorms will end around 8pm in Sussex County, with temperatures dropping to approximately 62 degrees. The humidity currently stands at 97 percent.

Throughout the evening, the weather is forecasted to remain cloudy, with another hit of thunderstorms and heavy wind expected around 7pm. Overnight, it is predicted to remain cloudy, with more isolated thunderstorms around midnight, with the clouds expected to dissipate around 4am.

By 7am tomorrow, The Weather Channel is predicting mostly sunny conditions, with a chance of precipitation at 10 percent, and lower humidity. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 74 degrees by 4pm tomorrow afternoon, with partly cloudy skies, and humidity of 43 percent.

Portions of New Jersey are affected by Tornado Alerts, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties, and also Sandy Hook, N.J., to Fire Island, N.Y. inlet.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued for Bergen and Hudson Counties, and Severe Thunderstorm Watches for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem Counties, as well as off the coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May, N.J., and Delaware Bay Waters south of East Point, N.J., to Slaughter Beach, Del.

Rip Current Statements were issued for Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic and Ocean Counties, and Eastern Monmouth County.

Special Marine Warnings were issued for coastal waters from Cape May, N.J., to Cape Henlopen, Del., Delaware Bay Waters North and South of East Point, N.J., to Slaughter Beach, Del., New York Harbor, and Sandy Hook, N.J., to Fire Island Inlet, N.Y.

Special Weather Statements were issued for Atlantic, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Camden, Cape May, Coastal Atlantic, Coastal Ocean, Cumberland, Eastern Monmouth, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Northwestern Burlington, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Southeastern Burlington, and Western Monmouth Counties.