New Jersey was hit by four separate tornadoes within just a few hours on Tuesday, according to survey teams from the National Weather Service, who spent Wednesday inspecting damage across multiple counties before confirming the twisters.
The first tornado touched down along the border of Stanhope and Mount Olive, followed by a second in the Lower Berkshire Valley region of Morris County. A third funnel formed over Pine Brook in Montville, while a fourth began as a waterspout over the Delaware Bay before crossing onto land near Cape May Point. Officials confirmed no injuries were reported from any of the four events.
This marks the first confirmed tornado activity in the state this year. On average, New Jersey sees only two to three tornadoes annually, though the number can vary sharply — in April 2023, the state recorded eight tornadoes in a single day during a major severe weather outbreak across the East Coast.
According to the National Weather Service, three of Tuesday’s tornadoes — in Montville, Lower Berkshire Valley, and near Stanhope/Mount Olive — were classified as EF1, with the strongest packing winds between 100 and 110 mph. The Cape May Point tornado was rated EF0, with winds between 60 and 70 mph, and stayed on the ground for roughly a quarter-mile while measuring only 30 yards wide.
Officials say the Cape May tornado left a narrow trail of downed trees along several residential streets before a witness reported seeing the funnel move over a nearby lake, with no further damage recorded beyond that point.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional survey work is planned, but confirmed that all four tornadoes have been officially logged as part of Tuesday’s storm system.