Storms To Usher In Sunny Weekend: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — It'll be a nice weekend once we get there, but first a new frontal system is expected to bring more showers and thunderstorms to the region Friday into Saturday, and locally heavy downpours may produce isolated to scattered areas of flash flooding.

There's a slight risk for excessive rainfall in Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, according to the hazardous outlook from the National Weather Service.

The hazardous outlook posted for Dutchess and Ulster says locally heavy rainfall could result in minor flooding, especially Friday and Friday night.

But the problem isn't the slight possibility of heavy rain, it's any rain.

"Two potential significant batches of rainfall. One around daybreak Friday and another early Friday evening is what catches my attention," said Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather in Monroe. "Should the second period of rainfall materialize it would generate serious concerns for FLOODING."

It's the combination of localized downpours, saturated soil and ongoing high water levels along many streams that will increase the risk for flash flooding, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

Widespread severe weather is not expected. "If there are any severe thunderstorms, the greatest risk would likely be from the Hudson Valley of New York to eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Friday," he said.

He did have good news. "This storm will be moving along and unlike prior storms, the heaviest rain bands are not likely to repeat over the same areas. Also, there is not a significant amount of tropical moisture or an atmospheric river associated with the upcoming storm."

There's more good news: The storm front is expected to bring cooler air. Friday temps will be in the 70s. Plus, afterward, the humidity will gradually drop for a while.

Here's the next 48 hours at a glance, based on Putnam County:

Here's the five-day forecast:

• Thursday - Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast this afternoon.
• Tonight = Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
• Friday = Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the morning. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the upper 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Friday Night - Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely in the evening, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph, becoming west after midnight. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Highs around 80. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday Night- Mostly clear. Lows around 60.
• Sunday - Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
• Sunday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.
• Monday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
• Monday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.