'Excessive' Rainfall Headed To Lower Hudson Valley, Flood Watch Issued

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With a lot of rain expected to fall in a short period of time Wednesday, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties for 1 p.m. through late tonight.

"The brunt of the rain occurs late this afternoon, this evening, and into the early overnight," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook.

The NWS predicted 1 to 3 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts expected.

The heavy rain could cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

"The Wednesday evening commute along the Interstate 95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to New York City could be a wet and slow go as a result," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

This storm is the second of three expected this week.

The ground is already saturated with rain from the first system. Soil moisture is running 60-80% above normal, with a majority of area rivers and streamflows running above to much above normal. This will allow for rainfall to more quickly become runoff and flooding. Each successive rain event will further elevate soil moisture and stream flows, increasing the urban and river flood threat, the NWS said.

According to NYS Mesonet:

"Due to the frequent rounds of rain, each storm will lead to greater runoff than the storm before and further heighten the risk of flooding," Sosnowski said. "By the time the third storm rolls in, small streams may be near bank full and some of the larger rivers may be on the rise."

Sosnowski said the space between each storm will include temperatures at levels more typical of April and, in some cases, June. "Where clouds break and rain holds off during the day, temperatures may reach well into the 50s and 60s F. Some locations in the mid-Atlantic could even top the 70-degree mark," he said.

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

• Wednesday - Cloudy. Patchy fog this morning. Rain this afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent.
• Tonight - Rain, mainly in the evening. Lows in the mid 40s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.
• Thursday - Rain likely, mainly in the morning. Near steady temperature in the upper 40s. North winds around 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Thursday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain in the evening, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Friday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northeast winds around 10 mph.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
• Saturday - Cloudy. A chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Saturday Night - Rain. Lows around 40. Chance of rain 90 percent.
• Sunday - Rain likely, mainly in the morning. Highs in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Lows in the mid 30s.