Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for Rockland County

Thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday in northern Westchester have the potential to produce strong winds and hail, according to the National Weather Service.

• Hazardous Weather Outlook

Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties are not under the Tornado Watch issued for the upper Hudson Valley.

• Tornado Watch in Effect Until 8pm for the Following Counties:Delaware, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia & Greene counties

However, some of the same meteorological issues may come into play.

“A strong line of thunderstorms has formed in western NY and is moving east rapidly,” said Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. “ Conditions will become increasingly unstable across the Hudson Valley this afternoon, as both the temperatures and the humidity rise… and wind shear comes into play. The risk of severe weather is highest in the western parts of our viewing area (Sullivan, Delaware, W. Ulster & W. Greene)… but the entire Hudson Valley should remain alert.”

Some of the thunderstorms could produce isolated strong winds or large hail, with the greatest chance coming on Tuesday afternoon. The probability for severe weather increases as one moves east to west, according to NWS forecasts.

“The reason for the highest risk being in our western areas… is due to the timeline of the thunderstorm progression,” Potter said. “ Once the sun sets, and we lose the daylight heating… the instability will begin to decrease. Strong thunderstorms are still possible, just likely not on the same scale as this afternoon. The reason the majority of the Hudson Valley is under the tornado watch, is that these storms are moving very fast. If they reach our area before sunset, the storms may not weaken before passing east of the Hudson River.”

MAP: Hudson Valley Weather