Storm To End With Wind, Rain, Snow, Lightning, Flooding, Frigid Temps

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The massive storm system ushering in the Christmas holiday — which brought the region widespread flooding due to heavy rain, and downed trees and power lines due to high winds — is expected to leave long-lasting frigid temperatures in its wake.

Flood warnings are in effect for Rockland County, the Hudson River and the Long Island Sound Shore.

The storm is expected to move out of the Hudson Valley through midday as a strong Arctic cold front pushes through, the National Weather Service said. The front will be accompanied by briefly heavy showers, possibly with lightning, and strong gusty winds of 40 to 50 mph. Southerly winds will shift to the west and Arctic cold will begin to move into the region, with westerly winds 20 to 30 mph and gusting 40 to 45 mph.

"As crazy as the weather may seem, a number of locations may have thunder and lightning ahead of and with the passage of the storm's powerful cold front," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

Temperatures will rapidly drop, and wind chills will be in the single digits to around 10 above zero by late afternoon. Any standing water may become black ice.

To give an idea of the intensity of the arctic front, the folks at Hudson Valley Weather offered the temperature model for Poughkeepsie:

• 10AM: 55 degrees F
• 4PM: 28
• 7PM: 10 (wind chill 0 to -10)
• 10PM: 5 (wind chill 0 to -10)

Flood warnings are out until the afternoon.

The Hudson River hit minor flood stage at Poughkeepsie with the morning's high tide, with flooding of lowlands, boat docks and boat launches. Water covered State Route 213 in Eddyville, the National Weather Service said.

The river is expected to rise above flood stage with a maximum value of 5.7 feet Friday afternoon. Flood stage is 4.2 feet. This compares to a previous crest of 5.2 feet on Christmas Day 2020.

A coastal flood warning is in effect for southern Westchester County until 1 p.m. Widespread moderate to localized major flooding of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline has reached 1 to 2 1/2 feet or more of inundation above ground level in low-lying, vulnerable areas. Flooding could also extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays.

In Rockland County, flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas began before dawn. River and stream flows are elevated, the National Weather Service said. Some locations expected to experience flooding included Monsey, Suffern, Airmont, Viola, Montebello and Hillburn.

Travel conditions are expected to continue difficult on Christmas Eve.

Here is the NWS daily forecast through the long holiday weekend (based on Rockland):

• Friday - Rain showers late this morning, then rain showers with a chance of snow showers this afternoon. Little or no snow accumulation. Breezy with highs in the upper 50s. Temperature falling into the lower 20s this afternoon. South winds 20 to 25 mph, becoming southwest this afternoon. Gusts up to 45 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Blustery and much colder with lows around 7 above. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph, decreasing to 30 mph after midnight. Wind chill values as low as 10 below.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Much colder with highs around 18. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Wind chill values as low as 12 below in the morning.
• Saturday Night - Mostly clear. Cold with lows around 12. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Wind chill values as low as 3 below.
• Christmas Day - Sunny, cold with highs in the mid 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Wind chill values as low as 3 below in the morning.
• Sunday Night - Mostly clear. Lows around 15.
• Monday - Sunny, cold with highs in the upper 20s.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20.