Tropical threat starts the holiday weekend

A series of cold fronts and the east coast's first tropical system of the season could bring a wet start to the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The beach in Asbury Park by Convention Hall (Gino D., Townsquare Media NJ)

In a briefing issued by the National Weather Service, a series of cold fronts are expected to intersect with "Tropical Depression One" to create showers and thunderstorms along with tropical downpour that could dump 2-3 inches of rain on New Jersey on Thursday and parts of Friday.

"One" reached depression status early Tuesday with sustained winds of 35 MPH located 105 miles south-southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida according to the National Weather Service Hurricane Center,

The storm, which will be named "Arthur" when it reaches tropical storm status, is expected to track north to at least the Carolina coastline. The cold fronts will help block the storm from making a direct hit on New Jersey. "This is NOT Super Storm Sandy," stressed the National Weather Service's Mt. Holly office while warning of winds, tidal and fresh water flooding, rip currents and heavy surf.

The exact track of the storm will determine the storm's effect on New Jersey but meteorologist Alan Kasper expects the storm to have "minimal impact" here.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s should return to New Jersey for Saturday and Sunday according to meteorologist Alan Kasper, who expects a high risk of rip currents for the entire weekend.

Get the latest information on the tropical weather texting WEATHER to 89000.