Flood Watch For Hudson Valley: Heavy Rainfall, Storms In Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A flood watch is in effect Thursday afternoon and into Friday for the region, and forecasters predict some areas could get up to four or even five inches of rain.

The National Weather Service predicts widespread rain starting this afternoon and continuing overnight.

Rainfall rates could reach up to 1 or 2 inches per hour at times. Total rainfall is expected to be between 1.5 and 3 inches, though there could be some spots which will get up to 4 inches of rain, the National Weather Service predicts. In the southern Hudson Valley, there could be localized amounts of up to 5 inches, according to a flood watch.

The rainfall may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone spots, including localized severe flooding, the National Weather Service cautioned. It advised residents to monitor developing forecasts and any potential flood warnings.

Stephen DiRienzo, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albany, said a line of thunderstorms is expected to cross the Hudson Valley this afternoon, followed by rain, which will be heavy at times, overnight.

“There could be localized flash flooding,” DiRienzo said.

Most of the precipitation will be out of the area by Friday morning, though there could be some isolated pop up showers during the day on Friday, according to DiRienzo.

Friday afternoon is expected to be clear, and temperatures will be dropping.

The weekend is expected to be mostly sunny and fair, with temperatures that “aren’t too hot,” or in the low to mid-80s, DiRienzo said.

Here are the forecast details for the Mid-Hudson Valley area via the National Weather Service:

Today: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Temperature falling to around 66 by 5 p.m. North wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. North wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 7 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. North wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Light north wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Here are the forecast details for the lower Hudson Valley area via the National Weather Service:

Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 83. East wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 62. Northeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 13 to 16 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind around 8 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.