The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for northeastern New Jersey, including all of Union County, until 9 PM.

The watch includes Union, Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties in New Jersey, as well as all of New York City and other southeastern New York areas.

A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for the entire state of New Jersey until 10 PM.

A tornado watch signifies that conditions are right for the potential of tornado activity, not that there is necessarily severe weather occurring at this moment.  Communities under a Tornado Watch should, however, be prepared for the possibility of tornado activity.