Update: severe thunderstorms, heavy rain moving into ocean county

UPDATE, 6:30 P.M.: The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement about 6:15 p.m., warning that a line of strong thunderstorms extending from the New York-New Jersey border

to Turnersville in southern New Jersey was moving east. The storm is ”moving east at 35 mph with wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail possible,” according to the alert, along with very

heavy rainfall.” PREVIOUSLY: If you have plans Friday night to be outside -- especially if you’re going to a high school football game -- you might want to bring your rain gear ... and be

prepared to take shelter. The National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office has issued a hazardous weather outlook statement for the region Friday afternoon, saying thunderstorms and heavy

rain are possible in the evening. The most recent forecast is calling for a chance of showers before 3 p.m., a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3 and 4, and then showers likely

and thunderstorms possible after 4 p.m. “Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain,” the service said. “Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Southwest wind around 15 mph.

Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.” The forecast for Saturday and Sunday is mostly

clear and sunny both days. As a result of the forecast, a few Shore Conference football games have been changed. Manchester Township, which hosts St. John Vianney tonight, is playing at 5

p.m. instead of 7. Donovan Catholic, which plays at Jackson Liberty this week, has been moved to a noon start on Saturday. And the Pinelands Regional game in Little Egg Harbor against

Monmouth Regional has been moved up to a 6 p.m. start. All other games are taking place as scheduled, as of 3 p.m. The updated schedule, according to APP.com: FRIDAY