Hour-By-Hour Forecast For Snow, Sleet, Rain: Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — This latest snow and ice storm is expected to cause problems on the roads across the Hudson Valley Wednesday afternoon and into the early hours of Thursday. For once, the storm is expected to drop more wintry mix on the lower end of the valley than it is further inland.

The National Weather Service predicts two to four inches of snow and a light glaze of ice for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties. Whereas, for Dutchess and Ulster counties total snow accumulations could stay below two inches with up to one tenth of an inch of ice on top.

Still, all valley residents should plan on slippery road conditions, the NWS says, starting Wednesday afternoon through the beginning of the Thursday AM commute.

"This is by no means a significant winter storm," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "But it’s enough that we have to deal with it, because the 6 to 8 hours of sleet and light freezing rain that are expected could cause travel troubles Wednesday night… and we want everyone to be properly prepared.

Snow is expected to start between noon and 3 p.m., moving southwest to northeast. Rain is expected to taper off, south to north, by 7 a.m. Temps will be at or below freezing.

The most snow might be along the New Jersey-New York border, Hudson Valley Weather predicts.

Like all the other storms this season, the forecast is iffy. Competing cold and warm air will make the storm system "disorganized" by the time it gets to us, meteorologists are saying. The key will be how quickly the snow turns to rain.

Remember to check 511NY before traveling at www.511NY.org or by downloading the mobile app. The free service allows users to check road conditions and features a winter travel advisory system with real-time travel reports and a color-coded map indicating which state roads are clear, wet or snow covered.

On the bright side, temps will climb toward 50 degrees on Thursday.

Chart: National Weather Service

Map: AccuWeather.com

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