Thunderstorms, Rain Possible In Hudson Valley Through July 5

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the long Fourth of July holiday weekend — in fact, the National Weather Service issued a hazardous outlook for the mid-Hudson.

For Dutchess and Ulster counties, the threat from thunderstorms each day Saturday through Wednesday is locally heavy downpours that could cause isolated flash flooding and localized flooding of urban, low-lying and poor drainage areas, the NWS said.

We'll have a dry Friday, even a short period of low humidity in the middle of the day, and then unsettled weather returns to the whole region as the low smoke from the Canadian wildfires dissipates.

Here's the forecast through the holiday, based on northern Westchester:

• Thursday night - Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly clear. Hazy. Lows in the lower 60s. West winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast after midnight.
• Friday - Hazy in the morning. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
• Saturday - Partly sunny with a chance of showers in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers with isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Saturday Night - Showers likely. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Sunday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Monday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Independence Day - Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Wednesday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift thousands of miles. The statewide air quality alert will remain in effect through Friday.

"Because of the steering winds, it’s likely fluctuations in air quality will continue into the weekend and potentially even through Independence Day in the Midwest and Northeast," said Richard Perrins, AccuWeather digital journalist.

As of 4:20 p.m., AirNow.gov showed the plumes of smoke:

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance: