Hudson Valley Heat Index To Hit Triple Digits Before Thunderstorms

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Oppressive heat will continue blanketing the region Thursday and Friday, even as the weather turns unsettled with severe thunderstorms.

First, though, the National Weather Service predicts heat indices mostly around 100 today and 95-100 on Friday. The heat advisories for most of the region end at 8 p.m. but the advisory for Rockland and Westchester counties has been extended to 6 p.m. Friday.

"It's been a relatively cool summer ... but you wouldn't know that by this week's weather. Be sure to take frequent breaks from activity in direct sun... and stay hydrated!" said the folks at Hudson Valley Weather.

Next, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible starting Thursday afternoon across the region except for southern Westchester County. The main threat is damaging wind gusts.

For Dutchess and Ulster counties, the NWS said heavy downpours could result in localized flooding of urban, poor drainage and low-lying areas and isolated flash flooding.

There are additional chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday through Monday, mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours. There is a "Marginal to Slight Risk" of severe storms on Friday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Isolated to scattered incidents of damaging wind gusts will be possible, with the greater chances southeast of Albany. Locally heavy downpours will be possible each day, which may result in ponding of water or flash flooding.

"Our area has been posted at MARGINAL risk for Excessive Rainfall through early Monday," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook. "Humidity remains in the forecast through at least the middle of next week."

Looking much farther ahead than meteorologists usually recommend, AccuWeather.com suggested people take time now to pack a preparedness kit and make sure they have reliable ways to receive weather alerts in case Hurricane Lee spins in our direction at the end of next week.

"Right now, the area in the United States that really needs to pay attention includes locations from the Outer Banks of North Carolina up to the Northeast," AccuWeather Chief Broadcast Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said, adding that parts of Atlantic Canada could also get direct impacts from Lee next week.

But as Furbeck pointed out, "As of this morning, probabilities are less than 5%."

Here's the 5-day forecast based on northern Westchester:

• Thursday - Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. West winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest this afternoon. Heat index values up to 101.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Humid with lows around 70. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
• Friday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the mid 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent. Heat index values in the upper 90s in the afternoon.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Humid with lows in the lower 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Saturday - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Saturday Night - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday Night - Showers likely. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Monday - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the morning, then partly sunny with a chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

To stay comfortable and save money and energy:

1. Turn down or turn off air conditioning in your home while you are away or at work to help lower your energy bill.
2. Set your air conditioner to the highest temperature your comfort and health will allow to help you save cooling money.
3. Close all doors and windows in your home while the air conditioning is running to keep things cooler at a lower price.
4. Cook, bake or perform other household activities that produce heat and humidity during the cooler times of the day and night.
5. Pull your curtains and shades closed to help block out the sun and the heat of the day.