Tornado watch issued for much of New Jersey

Much of New Jersey is under a Tornado Watch until 7 p.m. on Monday, as a powerful storm impacts the state with heavy rain and gusty winds.

The watch issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem and Somerset counties until 7 p.m.

Chief Meteoroligist Dan Zarrow said that while the steady rain and strong ambient winds are wrapping up, we still face some gusty thunderstorms this afternoon.

"Dangerous weather, up to and including a tornado, are possible," Zarrow said.

A tornado watch signals conditions exist that make a tornado possible. A more urgent tornado watch can be issued if one appears imminent.

The highest wind gusts were 53 MPH in Cape May and 53 MPH in Atlantic City on Monday morning.

Heavy rains also closed the westbound lanes of Route 22 in Readington with high water.

Power outages have have been minimal because of the storm with just over 2,000 utility customers without power as of 2 p.m.