Winter Storm To Bring Snow, Rain, Winds To Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — How’s the weather going to be Thursday and Friday? Well, it’s complicated.

What was forecast by some meteorologists even 24 hours ago — as a major snow event — has morphed into a mixture of precipitation types, with strong winds and heavy rains. All of that depends, of course, on where you are within the Hudson Valley.

The National Weather Service, as of Thursday morning, summarized the weather event as a period of heavy, wet snow for far western portions of Orange County and heavy rainfall for much of the rest of the region, which may lead to local flooding. There will be a period of easterly wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph over coastal areas late Thursday into Friday morning.

So far, only one storm warning has been issued. Western Ulster County is under winter storm warning from 4 p.m Thursday to 10 a.m. Saturday. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 18 inches, with 2 feet possible in certain locations. Wind gusts will be as high as 35 mph.

Eastern Ulster is under a winter weather advisory from 4 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Expected snowfall is 4 to 8 inches in areas west of the Hudson River.

Orange County is also under a winter weather advisory. It is in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday. The weather service said snow is expected, with accumulations ranging from 1 to 3 inches across the eastern half of the county and 3 to 8 inches across the western half of the county. Winds could be gusting as high as 35 mph.

Thursday afternoon, eastern Dutchess County was put under a winter weather advisory until 7 a.m. Saturday. Total snow accumulations will be from 2 to 7 inches. Rain will mix with snow Friday morning into the afternoon before changing back to snow Friday night. The highest totals will be across northeastern Dutchess County. Winds could be gusting as high as 35 mph.

Winds will be strong throughout the region, and power outages could occur, especially if combined with the heavy, wet snow.

Dutchess County is under a hazardous weather outlook that said a coastal storm will bring some snow to the region Thursday night before mixing with rain by daybreak Friday. Meteorologists said a light snow accumulation is expected, and a winter weather advisory will be needed if more moderate amounts are expected.

A coastal flood statement was issued for southern Westchester County in effect from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday. There could be up to 1/2 foot of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline, due to 2 to 4 foot wave action.

And keep in mind, if you are not getting snow, especially in the lower Hudson Valley, you will likely be getting a substantial amount of rain.

Here is the forecast through the weekend for northern Westchester County:

• Thursday: A chance of rain between 1pm and 4pm, then rain and snow. High near 38. East wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Thursday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 10pm. Temperature rising to around 37 by 4am. East wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Friday: Rain. High near 40. Northeast wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday Night: A chance of rain before 1am, then a slight chance of snow. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West wind 8 to 13 mph.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.