Hudson River Flood Warning, Snow Hazards Sunday, Freeze To Set In

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The National Weather Service warns of various weather hazards for Dutchess and Ulster counties.

First, a flood warning has been issued for Ulster and Dutchess counties until 9PM, as the Hudson River is expected to crest at around 5 feet with Saturday afternoon`s high tide. Flood stage is 4.2 feet.

Second, a hazardous weather outlook has been issued for Dutchess and Ulster. Scattered snow showers and a few embedded snow squalls are possible Sunday, which may lead to localized hazardous travel conditions, the NWS said.

Third, accumulating snowfall is possible Tuesday into Wednesday for parts of the area, depending on how a coastal storm tracks.

Fourth, temperatures are about to drop below freezing for an extended period of time.

"As we had into overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, our newest guest will have made itself known as the coldest airmass of the season begins to take up residence across the region, the crunchy, frozen tundra that was once your soggy yard will begin to settle in," said Alex Marra of Hudson Valley Weather. "Be alert for areas of refreeze on roadways, walkways, and driveways overnight and into tomorrow AM. ... We will likely see quite the increase in poor road conditions as pot holes tend to increase rapidly during periods of colder air that follow these wet and thaw periods."

Here's the five-day forecast based on Kingston:

• Saturday - A chance of rain before noon, then a slight chance of showers between noon and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 40 by 5pm. Southwest wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Tonight - Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
• Sunday - A chance of snow showers, mainly between 9am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
• Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 16. West wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• M.L.King Day - Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
• Monday Night - A slight chance of light snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Tuesday - Light snow likely before 1pm, then snow likely after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Tuesday Night - A chance of snow before 1am, then a chance of snow showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Wednesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.
• Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance: