Flash Floods, 2-4 Inches Of Rain For The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The National Weather Service has updated its hazardous weather outlooks again for the Hudson Valley, and the alert Thursday is about flash flooding. Flash floods are possible, as torrential rain is expected. In addition, temperatures will drop rapidly as a cold front from the west moves in at the same time that tropical moisture moves northeast with the remnants of Hurricane Michael.

The flash flood watch for Dutchess and Ulster counties went into effect at 8 a.m.:

Thanks to a tropical air mass in place, repeated bands of showers and isolated thunderstorms will be capable of heavy downpours today into this evening. Rainfall rates may reach close to one inch per hour at times.

* This rainfall will result in ponding of water in urban, poor drainage and low lying areas. If repeated rounds of heavy rainfall occur over the same areas, flash flooding will be possible.

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, the flash flood watch will be in effect from noon EDT today through late tonight.

* Tropical moisture surging northward from eastern North Carolina and Virginia will move up into the area this afternoon and tonight. Showers and a few thunderstorms will develop by this afternoon and continue into tonight, and the rain may be heavy at times.

* Area average rainfall amounts of 1 1/2 to 2 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts of 2 to 4 inches possible. Any heavy rainfall that occurs within a 1 to 3 hour time frame may result in flash flooding. The heaviest rainfall is expected in and around New York City, and also across portions of Long Island and southern Connecticut.

For the whole Hudson Valley:

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Here's the hourly forecast from the NWS:

Map, chart/ National Weather Service

» Find Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

» Find Your Patch and more news of the day, including our most-read stories.