Snow Squalls, White-Out Usher Brutal Cold To The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The arctic cold front swooping in from the Midwest will be accompanied by a line of snow showers and/or snow squalls Wednesday. It should only last around 30 minutes to an hour, the National Weather Service said. But it could create brief whiteout conditions with a quick coating to around an inch of snow is possible in any of the heavier snow squalls.

Motorists should plan for hazardous travel during the afternoon commute.

"Snow squalls are notorious for causing chain-reaction accidents," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.

There's a wind advisory in effect for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

As the polar vortex does its thing, there will be wind chill advisories in effect:

• for Dutchess and Ulster counties from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 1 p.m. Thursday.
• for Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday

Those affected by the cold should take the proper precautions and cover all exposed skin. Frostbite and hypothermia are possible within 30 minutes outside.

Images/ AccuWeather.com