NWS Warns Of Storms, Flooding In The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The National Weather Service has issued hazardous weather outlooks for the lower and mid Hudson Valley. A storm front approaching late Thursday could bring a lot of rain and could lead to localized flooding, forecasters warn.

As has been happening a lot lately, there's a Flash Flood Watch for all of northeast New Jersey (and after what happened in Washington, DC earlier this week, we are taking "heavy rain" and "localized flooding" seriously).

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties, the National Weather Service says:

Showers and thunderstorms with an approaching warm front late today into tonight could produce heavy rain capable of causing localized flooding.

For Dutchess, the NWS says:

There is a marginal to slight risk for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and night, with isolated damaging wind gusts possible.

Thunderstorms may also contain heavy downpours, which could lead to isolated flooding of low lying, urban and poor drainage areas.

"A line of showers and thunderstorms will approach the region for the afternoon hours," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "The threat begins for the Catskills first, in the early to mid afternoon. The majority of the Hudson Valley will see the threat primarily between 3pm and 8pm (earliest N&W, latest closest to NYC)."

The storms and rain could persist into Friday morning from DC to Boston.

"The weather pattern has the potential to unleash rainfall on the order of 1-2 inches per hour and perhaps 3 inches per hour in extreme cases," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "The downpours may persist in part of this busy travel swath into Friday. Motorists and airline passengers should anticipate delays."

SEE: Drivers Rescued From Flooding Near Washington Monument (Video)