Coastal Flood Watch from Thurs. Night Through Fri. Afternoon

A coastal flood watch for the Jersey Shore is in effect from Thursday night until Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The bulletin on the National Weather Service website says the area covered by the watch includes the coast from Raritan Bay along the ocean into Delaware Bay.

Also, the NJ State police issued a warning: "Winter storm warnings statewide. High winds, blowing, drifting snow, extreme wind chills. Travel tonight dangerous."

"THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR MODERATE TIDAL FLOODING ESPECIALLY ALONG NORTH COASTAL NEW JERSEY DURING THE HIGH TIDE CYCLE THAT OCCURS DURING FRIDAY MORNING.

MINOR TIDAL FLOODING WAS OCCURRING ALONG THE NEW JERSEY COAST WITH THIS MORNING'S HIGH TIDE CYCLE. THE FLOODING FOR TOMORROW MORNING SHOULD SEE TIDES ONE HALF TO 1 FOOT HIGHER THAN THE HIGHEST VALUES THAT OCCURRED THIS MORNING.

* OCEAN SEA STATE...THIS MORNING'S WAVE HEIGHTS ARE GENERALLY 2 TO 4 FEET. TOMORROW MORNING WILL BE DIFFERENT WITH AN EASTERLY SWELL OF 7 TO 8 FEET COMING ASHORE CAUSING BEACH EROSION.

 * AT SANDY HOOK...HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 855 AM EST FRIDAY WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF 7.5 TO 8.0 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER.

* AT SEASIDE HEIGHTS... HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 825 AM EST FRIDAY WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF NEAR 7.5 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER.

* AT ATLANTIC CITY... HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 832 AM EST FRIDAY WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF 6.5 TO 7.0 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER.

* AT CAPE MAY...ON THE OCEAN FRONT HIGH TIDE OCCURS AT 906 AM EST FRIDAY WITH A FORECAST TIDE LEVEL OF 7.0 TO 7.5 FEET ABOVE MEAN LOWER LOW WATER.

* IMPACTS...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR ROADWAY FLOODING AND POSSIBLY SOME MINOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

IN ADDITION ANY OVER WASH HAS THE STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF FREEZING AS TEMPERATURES WILL BE AND REMAIN BELOW FREEZING. STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS GUSTING TO 40 TO 45 MPH SHOULD OCCUR.

BEACH EROSION IS ALSO POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERATE OR MAJOR COASTAL FLOODING.

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO UPDATED FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.

FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. FOR A LIST OF THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT TIDE HEIGHTS IN YOUR COUNTY PLEASE click here.