Hudson Valley Forecast: Snow Squalls, Temp Swings, Wind Reports

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As thousands are without power in rapidly freezing conditions due to the overnight wind storm, the National Weather Service has issued hazardous outlooks for more wild winter weather for the Presidents Day holiday weekend, where snow squalls will precede 50-degree temps.

• Orange, Putnam, Rockland, northern Westchester: A polar front will cross the region Saturday afternoon, with potential for a line of snow showers and snow squalls to affect the region with a brief burst of heavy snow, northwest winds gusts of 35 to 45 mph, and temperatures quickly dropping below freezing. Roads could become quickly snow-covered and icy if this event materializes.
• Dutchess and eastern Ulster counties: Snow showers and squalls are likely on Saturday along the passage of a strong cold front.
• For southern Westchester, the NWS warns of the polar front, the snow showers and squalls and the wind gusts. Temperatures will drop towards freezing and roads could become hazardous.

The folks at Hudson Valley Weather issued a "Flash Freeze and Watch Your Tires Alert" on Facebook, saying "Approaching 30° temp drops in the last 3 hours. Flash freezes of standing water and saturated ground. This will also cause a significant increase in the size and quantity of potholes as well."

Meanwhile, the NWS offered limited reports on the strength of the wind storm. The highest speeds were on the North Fork of Long Island, where a gust was clocked at 68 mph at Orient.

In Orange County, gusts were clocked at three locations:

• WARWICK 47 mph
• MONTGOMERY AIRPORT 41 mph
• STEWART AIRPORT 40 mph

And in Westchester, gusts were clocked at two locations:

• TAPPAN ZEE LIGHT 45 mph
• SOMERS 40 mph

Here's the forecast for the three-day holiday weekend, based on Rockland County:

• Friday - Mostly sunny and breezy. Highs in the mid 50s falling into the lower 30s. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
• Friday night - Mostly clear. Much cooler with lows around 19. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, becoming southwest around 5 mph after midnight.
• Saturday - Partly sunny. A chance of snow showers in the morning, then snow showers likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch possible. Blustery, cooler with highs in the upper 30s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, becoming west 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 60 percent.
• Saturday Night - Mostly clear and blustery. Lows around 16. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph, decreasing to 30 mph after midnight.
• Sunday - Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. West winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming southwest in the afternoon.
• Sunday Night - Clear. Lows in the mid 20s.
• Washingtons Birthday - Sunny. Not as cool with highs around 50.
• Monday Night - Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.
• Tuesday - Cloudy. A chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 90 percent.

SEE ALSO: 2600 O&R Customers Without Power After Wind Storm