An approaching cold front helped trigger some severe thunderstorms across central New Jersey during the late afternoon of the 16th. The Princeton area was hit the hardest. About 2,600 homes and businesses lost power mainly in Mercer and Middlesex Counties. Power was not fully restored until the 18th in Mercer County.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 16:45:00 to 16-AUG-10 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: MANALAPAN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A severe thunderstorm knocked down a couple of trees in Manalapan Township. One tree fell onto a home.

Hail in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 16:25:00 to 16-AUG-10 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: JAMESBURG
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 16:25:00 to 16-AUG-10 16:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: JAMESBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe thunderstorm knocked down several large tree limbs in Monroe Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 16:05:00 to 16-AUG-10 16:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRANBURY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A severe thunderstorm knocked down large tree limbs in Cranbury Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 15:55:00 to 16-AUG-10 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: PLAINSBORO
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A severe thunderstorm knocked down numerous trees in Plainsboro Township.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 15:35:00 to 16-AUG-10 15:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT ROSE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm knocked down several trees in Hopewell Township, a couple of which blocked roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 15:40:00 to 16-AUG-10 15:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRINCETON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A severe thunderstorm caused extensive tree damage on and to the east of Princeton University in Princeton Borough. Wind damage was reported from Nassau Street to Carnegie Lake. Several homes and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees along Harrison Street, Sycamore Road and Cedar Lane. Four homes were badly damaged as were vehicles on the Butler Tract off of Harrison Street. This included graduate student housing. Some students and families were evacuated to the Frist Campus Center. On the university grounds itself, trees were knocked down around Palmer Stadium, along the intersection of Faculty Road and Broadmead Street, Ivy Lane and along Washington Road. In Princeton Township,  wind damage occurred on the opposite side of Carnegie Lake along Plainsboro Road as far east as Connector Road. Some roadways remained closed due to the fallen trees into the 17th. Power was fully restored on the 18th. No injuries were reported.

Lightning in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 16-AUG-10 15:55:00 to 16-AUG-10 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONMOUTH JCT
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A lightning strike and the ensuing fire destroyed a vacant one story barn at the intersection of Friendship and New Roads in South Brunswick Township. It took about thirty firefighters forty-five minutes to extinguish the blaze.