More Thunderstorms, Moderate Air Quality: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Thunderstorms are possible all day Friday across the region, and there's a risk of severe thunderstorms in Dutchess and Ulster counties, then a "delightful weekend" will give us some respite before a new storm system arrives Monday.

Isolated flash flooding Friday is possible where multiple heavy downpours occur, the National Weather Service said in a hazardous outlook. A few instances of large hail and damaging wind gusts will be possible Friday afternoon and early evening.

"The latest data suggests there may be some areas that stay completely dry," said Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather in Orange County.

And while the air quality Friday is good in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Ulster counties, meanwhile, in Rockland and Westchester, as in most of the rest of the state, it has dropped to "moderate" for fine particles. That's when it starts to affect people who are sensitive such as babies, the elderly, and those with heart problems.

The fine particles are in the smoke from 1,054 active wildfires in Canada, and 60 large fires in the USA, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Smoke will affect the Hudson Valley's air on Saturday as well, according to the Canadian portal for information about wildfire weather and smoke.

Smoke aside, another delightful weekend is in store in the wake of Friday's thunderstorms, said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "Daytime highs will range from the upper 70s in Boston and New York City to the upper 80s around Washington, D.C., on Saturday, about 5 degrees below the historical average for early August. By Sunday afternoon, temperatures will trend upward by a few degrees from Saturday's levels."

Then a new storm system, which AccuWeather meteorologists said looked from this far out to be "unusually strong," will bring thunderstorms to the region Monday. The greatest threat, however, looks to be to central and western New York.

The National Weather Service's five-day forecast, based on western Dutchess County:

• Friday - Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds, small hail, and heavy rainfall this afternoon. Highs around 80. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers after midnight. Humid with lows in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. North winds around 5 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable.
• Sunday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Sunday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.
• Monday - Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
• Monday Night - A chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Tuesday - Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Hot with highs in the mid 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance, based on New City: