Hudson Valley Weekend: Arctic Blast Then Winter Storm

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Another blast of Arctic air is headed our way, but most forecasters are peering at what's coming next: a sizable storm that could hit the region with snow or the classic wintry mix.

The National Weather Service has already issued a hazardous outlook for Thursday through Tuesday in Dutchess and Ulster counties. "Another surge of bitterly cold air is expected to arrive Friday night into Saturday after the passage of an arctic front. The combination of cold temperatures and winds could result in dangerous conditions."

The NWS gave early warning of the potential for a storm to affect the region on Monday. "However, the exact track, precipitation type, and therefore any impacts from this storm remain highly uncertain."

"The only thing we are confident of at this point is a storm along the east coast," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "Where that storm goes, will mean the difference between a wintry mix, a near miss, or a major snowstorm."

First, we have to get through the work week.

Temperatures Thursday will be around 40 degrees, and Friday morning is expected to be in the mid- to high 30s. Then temps begin plummeting Friday afternoon. Friday night lows: 0-10 degrees. Wind chill values: 10- 15 below.

Saturday and Sunday will be a little less cold, and then snow is predicted to start Sunday night.

The coming storm is what AccuWeather meteteorologist Matt Benz called a "Saskatchewan screamer" — as it originated in western Canada. Early forecasts show it racing unusually far south, dumping snow, before turning up the East Coast.

Marra and Potter urged everyone with plans for the upcoming three-day weekend to watch the forecast closely. "We’re still 5 days away from the possible event, and the details won’t come into focus for a couple more days."

Here's the National Weather Service forecast through Martin Luther King Day, based on Brewster:

• Wednesday night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Light southwest wind.
• Thursday - Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Light and variable wind.
• Thursday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Light and variable wind.
• Friday - Partly sunny, with a temperature rising to near 33 by 11am, then falling to around 25 during the remainder of the day. North wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
• Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 3.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 15.
• Saturday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 4.
• Sunday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.
• Sunday Night - A 50 percent chance of snow after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
• M.L.King Day - A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.
• Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.