New Snow, Sleet, Rain Estimates For The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday; winter storm watches remain in effect for Orange and Ulster. The winter storm will affect the middle of the work week for commuters and travelers.

We're not calling it a snowstorm because it bears the characteristics of all storms so far this season: snow, then sleet, then rain.

"This has been the story of the winter so far, with each significant winter storm tracking inland, and pulling warm air up into the region," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "The result will be a period of snow, transitioning to an extended period of sleet, then a period of freezing rain, and in some places ending as a period of rain. The timing of each transition, and intensity of precipitation… will determine how much snow falls, how much sleet falls, and how much ice we see."

The NWS says:

Snow is expected to begin toward daybreak Tuesday morning for the NYC metro, and then work northeast across the remainder of the area. Precipitation transitions to a wintry mix during the late morning and afternoon hours from south to north. There is some uncertainty with how quickly this transition occurs. Small timing differences will have significant impacts on snowfall and ice totals.

Snowfall totals of 1-4 inches along the coast and 4-7 inches inland are forecast before changeover. Highest amounts in the watch area.

A light ice accretion near the coast with a tenth to quarter inch well inland.

Rainfall amounts of 1 to 1 ½ inches with locally 2 inches.

It's a great deal of water. Look at the NWS maps:

Starting with heavy snow, even an inch an hour at times, we'll then get an extended period of heavy sleet, which overnight should accumulate as sleet pellets. On top of that, freezing rain, rain (and freezing temperatures) will make an icy glaze over the whole mess.

"Any snow that hasn't been cleared away will become heavier and harder to remove with the added ice," said Faith Eherts, AccuWeather meteorologist. "Even plowed roads can become ice-covered, refreshing dangerous driving conditions from Syracuse to New York City."

The hazardous conditions could affect the morning and evening commutes Tuesday and even Wednesday morning as well as air travel in the region.

Check back with Patch tonight after the evening NWS briefing.

Image via AccuWeather.com

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