EF2 tornado in Monmouth County, New Jersey

A tornado formed from an east southeast moving rotating supercell within a line of thunderstorms and made a brief touchdown on the National Guard Training Center Grounds in Sea Girt, NJ.

The tornado likely developed over Stockton Lake and tracked east southeast over the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy. The entire half dome, wood frame, shingled roof of the southwest facing academy building, about 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, was

lifted and thrown eastward. The debris was lofted and strewn for about 250 yards to the east northeast in a tapering, semi-circled debris drag marks and layout pattern. In addition one tree was uprooted and laid in an east northeast direction. The tornado

likely lifted as it tracked east across the parking lot and open grass fields. Based on the degree of damage and construction this was determined to be EF2 wind damage of 110- 120 mph, with debris and downed tree pattern indicative of a tornado.

Isolated large tree damage was noted upstream of the National Guard Training Center starting at the corner of Sea Girt Ave and Route 35, working east southeast down Sea Girt Avenue, across the intersection of Atlantic and Broad Street, to Pearce Avenue and

behind Manasquan Fire Department. There is not enough evidence in the damage indicators to classify as part of the tornado track, and so more likely associated with a narrow developing rear flank downdraft of 70-80 mph, that shortly later lead to tornado

formation over Stockton Lake. A couple of other notable impacts, 400 yards to the north of the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy building, a couple of bleachers were pushed about 40 yards east northeast from their starting position across the Athletic field. Once again, not enough supporting evidence for this being a separate EF0 tornado, but instead, more likely due to straight line winds or gustnado of 70 to 80 mph winds.

Finally, a small bleacher was overturned at the Manasquan Little League Fields, about 600 yards southeast of New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy and right before the ocean beachfront, again consistent with straight line winds of 70 to 80 mph. For

reference, the Sea Girt observing site measured a similar 71 mph gust at this time.

A strong cold front approached the region, with a line of strong showers and thunderstorms developing out ahead of the front. Storms produced damaging winds, multiple tornadoes, and small to medium-sized hail in New Jersey.