Thunderstorms Could Cause Flash Floods: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Hudson Valley is under hazardous weather outlooks, with the National Weather Service predicting storms and possible flooding Monday and Tuesday for parts of the region.

"A slow-moving storm is expected to crawl across the northern tier of the United States through Tuesday, hitting an area where rain has been feast or famine over the last several weeks," said Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

For Ulster and western Dutchess counties, there is a chance for thunderstorms Monday night, mainly west of the Hudson River. Storms will be capable of producing heavy downpours that may result in localized poor drainage or urbanized flooding.

In addition, the Storm Prediction Center has placed a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms for the area on Tuesday. Strong to severe storms would be capable of producing gusty winds and heavy downpours that may result in localized poor drainage or urbanized flooding.

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, the outlook is only for Monday. Showers and thunderstorms with an approaching cold front could produce locally excessive rainfall capable of causing isolated flash flooding Monday night, the NWS said.

However, O&R sent out a news release warning that scattered thunderstorms, some possibly severe, could sweep through its service area Tuesday morning. Company and contractor overhead line crews and tree removal experts, customer service representatives and the other O&R teams that support the emergency response effort will be activated, company officials said.

Then, "Once the upper level low exits... things will improve dramatically," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather.

Here's the five day forecast based on Putnam County:

• Monday night - Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. Humid with lows in the upper 60s. South winds around 5 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable. Chance of rain 90 percent.
• Tuesday - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs around 80. Southeast winds around 5 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Partly cloudy with a chance of showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Less humid with lows in the mid 50s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.
• Wednesday - Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.
• Thursday - Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
• Thursday Night - Clear. Lows in the upper 40s.
• Friday - Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
• Friday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows around 50.