Hudson Valley Forecast: Next Chance For Rain

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Drought conditions persist in the region, most severe in and around Putnam County, but some rain is on the way to take us into the weekend.

It's going to be hot and humid as well as rainy on Friday, but temperatures Saturday and Sunday will be milder, in the mid-80s.

Still, a half-inch of rain won't be near enough to relieve the drought conditions and fire danger in the Hudson Valley.

The DEC continues to urge New Yorkers to practice the utmost safety when building campfires this summer, as most of the state continues to suffer from drought.

SEE:

• Unattended Campfire Caused Recent Harriman Park Wildfire: Police
• DEC, Local Departments Battle 3 Wildfires In Orange, Putnam, Rockland

If you're going camping this weekend, follow these tips from the DEC:

1. Use existing campfire rings where possible
2. Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, and leaves.
3. Pile extra wood away from the fire
4. Clear the area around the ring of leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials
5. Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly.

Restrictions on water use continue in several communities in the Hudson Valley, including all of Rockland County.

Here's the 5-day forecast from the NWS:

• Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 90. Light north wind.
• Thursday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
• Friday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday Night - Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday - A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
• Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
• Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
• Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
• Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.