Severe Storms, High Winds, Possible Tornadoes: HV Friday

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — In addition to the heat, severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service warns. The primary threat is damaging winds; however an isolated tornado is also possible, the NWS said.

Winds could be gusting at 50 mph, and that means downed tree limbs, and that means power outages are also in the mix.

"Trees have been drawing a great deal of moisture up their trunk and limb systems due to the above-normal rainfall. Many trees may be top-heavy as a result," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "Even an isolated, non-severe thunderstorm has the potential to bring down large tree limbs and even topple trees in this situation."

What else to worry about?

There could be flash floods if there's enough rain in a short time. That's certainly been a problem for our neighbors in northern New Jersey.

Rain will start in the early afternoon, the NWS says, along with the possibility of thunderstorms. That will build into the evening and continue overnight.

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