Hudson Valley Weather: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes Possible: NWS

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Periods of heavy rain are expected in the Hudson Valley throughout this afternoon and evening, with the potential for severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Joe Villani, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Albany, said there is a risk for thunderstorms, and a “very small chance” for a tornado.

“The chance for a tornado is low, but we are keeping an eye on things,” Villani said, at 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

There were tornado warnings issued for Delaware and Sullivan counties mid-day Thursday, though these warnings had expired before 1:15 p.m.

According to Villani, the warnings were based on radar, and the National Weather Service hasn’t yet determined if there were tornadoes on the ground.

Today’s rain is expected to last until about 9 p.m., with some areas getting between one inch and up to 2.5 inches before it ends.

“It is beneficial rain, because of the recent dry weather,” Villani said.

Residents should pay attention to New York weather alerts, and if there is a tornado warning, take cover immediately, including moving to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor.

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

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 74. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1 a.m., then a chance of showers. Patchy fog between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Patchy fog. High near 74. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Patchy fog. Low around 65. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Light north wind.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 6 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.