Cool Weekend To Follow Hot End Of Work Week In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Temperatures will continue to climb Thursday and Friday — and ozone build-up has caused an air quality alert — before plummeting on Saturday as a cold front blows into the region.

The National Weather Service issued the air quality alert at 10 a.m. Thursday for NYC, Rockland and Westchester. It will be in effect until 11 p.m. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.

Highs on Thursday and Friday will likely be an abnormal 90 to 92 degrees around the Hudson Valley before the front comes in.

"Behind the front, cooler air will sink into the valley for the weekend. Highs Saturday and Sunday are expected to be in the upper 60s to around 70 ... about 5 degrees below average for early June," said the folks at Hudson Valley Weather.

However, the cold front may not bring needed water for your well or garden.

While the National Weather Service predicts a 60 percent chance of rain Friday night and Saturday, both Hudson Valley Weather and AccuWeather expect the weekend will be mostly dry, with some scattered showers and possibly scattered thunderstorms.

"Some areas may totally avoid rain altogether despite the front. However, a few locations may pick up a quick 0.10 to 0.30 of an inch if they endure the bulk of a heavy shower or thunderstorm," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

As the dry spell continues and drought conditions expand, home gardeners may want to water plants during the evening when evaporation rates are low and moisture has a chance to soak into the soil, he said.

"Additional chances of rain showers are expected to return next week as we see a more unsettled weather pattern move into the eastern US," Hudson Valley Weather said.

Here's the NWS five-day forecast based on northern Westchester:

• Thursday - Mostly sunny. Patchy fog early. Hazy with patchy smoke. Highs in the lower 80s. Light and variable winds, becoming northwest around 5 mph this morning, then becoming south around 5 mph this afternoon.
• Tonight - Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds around 5 mph, becoming west around 5 mph after midnight.
• Friday - Sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Friday Night - Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely with isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Saturday - Showers likely with isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Much cooler with highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Saturday Night - Mostly cloudy. Showers likely, mainly in the evening. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Sunday - Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows around 50.
• Monday - Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s.