A rare tornado touched down in Cape May Point on Tuesday as part of an unusually active month of severe weather across New Jersey.
The storm began as a waterspout over Delaware Bay before moving onto land. It crossed several streets and faded near Lake Lily, not far from the beach. The tornado remained on the ground for about one minute and produced estimated winds of 70 mph. Trees were damaged along several roads.
It was the first recorded tornado in Cape May Point since reliable records began in 1950. Three other tornadoes were confirmed in Morris County on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to four for the day. New Jersey typically averages about two tornadoes during an entire year, though the number can vary widely.
Heavy rain also flooded parts of Cape May County. Wildwood received 2.52 inches of rain. PJ Hondros, vice president of ShorelySafe and a Wildwoods resident, called it the area’s worst rain flooding in a long time.
Tuesday’s tornado was the first confirmed in Cape May County since an EF1 struck Woodbine in 2021. Only nine tornadoes have been recorded in the county since 1950. The strongest were F2 tornadoes in 1956 and 1971. Since 1950, the county’s tornadoes have caused only one injury and no deaths.
Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor and the Wildwoods have not recorded a tornado during that period, according to the Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist.
The Cape May Point tornado was only one part of a stormy July. Through July 24, the Storm Prediction Center placed at least part of New Jersey under a severe-weather risk on 12 days. That is half of the month so far.
Three days reached an enhanced risk, which is Level 3 on a five-level scale. Those included July 4, when damaging winds and intense rain struck the state; July 18, when several tornado warnings were issued; and July 21, when four tornadoes touched down.
The National Weather Service issued a combined 18 severe-thunderstorm or tornado watches and warnings in New Jersey from July 1 through July 24. The average for that period is about 14.
Extreme heat is one reason for the active weather. Strong thunderstorms often develop as heat waves begin to break. Temperatures across the state have been at least 2 degrees above average this July. Atlantic City International Airport is on pace for one of its three hottest Julys on record.
An unusual weather pattern several miles above the ground has also added more spin to the atmosphere. This type of pattern is more common during spring or fall. When it combines with intense summer heat and humidity, the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can rise.
There has been one benefit from the repeated storms: Drought conditions have improved. New Jersey remains under a state drought warning, but the share of the state experiencing drought fell by 12 percentage points between the beginning of July and July 23.
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