Severe Thunderstorm Watch: 65 MPH Wind Gusts, Hail Possible: NWS

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Severe thunderstorms, nearly 65 mph wind gusts and large hail are all possible Saturday afternoon and evening, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service.

A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Atlantic coastal waters, southeast New York and southern Connecticut until 9 p.m., the weather service said Saturday afternoon. Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties were all included in the severe thunderstorm watch.

The thunderstorms might pose a risk for damaging winds up to 65 mph, large hail and heavy downpours into this evening.

"During the afternoon and evening hours, atmospheric instability along this (cold) front is expected to peak, resulting in the development of strong-to-severe thunderstorms centered over the I-95 corridor," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Sadvary.

"The primary threats from these storms will be damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours, which can lead to localized flash flooding; however, hail cannot be ruled out," Sadvary said. (Read more forecast details at Accuweather.com).