Severe Storms Possible As HV Heat, Air Quality Advisories Extended

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With heat indices approaching or exceeding 100°F today and Wednesday, heat advisories have been expanded by the National Weather Service, and the air quality advisories have been extended as well.

People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.

A pocket with extensive severe weather will exist over much of New York on Tuesday. "In this zone, there can also be an isolated tornado or two," said Ryan Adamson, AccuWeather meteorologist.

Monday evening's thunderstorms brought rain to a narrow band across the Hudson Valley.

"For those counting on the rain that these storms can bring, which often times are beneficial during extended periods of heat, it’s been feast or famine," said the folks at Hudson Valley Weather. "We have seen multiple situations over the last few weeks where the severe threat has diminished as it has arrived after sunset and left northern and eastern parts of the region out of the heaviest rainfall. This is unfortunately the nature of these setups, while thunderstorms and severe weather are likely, their exact location and intensity is hard to nail with any certainty."

Tuesday and Wednesday, scattered thunderstorms bringing torrential downpours are possible during the late afternoon and evening hours.

The primary threat is damaging wind gusts for both days, but large hail is possible Tuesday as well, the NWS said.

More storms are expected on Wednesday. "AccuWeather experts are honing in on a zone from southern Maine to northern Virginia for the highest potential for severe weather at midweek," Adamson said.

High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s today and the low 90s on Wednesday in the region.

Still, it could be worse: Hudson Valley heat indices are 10 degrees lower than central New Jersey's.

A cold front is expected sometime late Wednesday. Temps will stay in the mid-80s for several days afterward, the NWS predicted. Sleeping weather will also improve, with lows dropping into the 60s.

Here are the next 48 hours at a glance, based on Yorktown:

Here's the five-day forecast based on Rockland County:

• Tuesday - Sunny early, then becoming mostly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Humid with highs in the mid 90s. West winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent. Heat index values up to 100.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the evening. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds in the evening. Humid with lows in the mid 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph in the evening. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Wednesday - Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent. Heat index values in the upper 90s.
• Wednesday Night - Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Humid with lows around 70. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming west after midnight. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Thursday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the mid 80s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Thursday Night - Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.
• Friday - Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
• Friday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
• Saturday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.