AM Black Ice Alert, Afternoon Snow: Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement at midnight Friday for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern and southern Westchester, warning about areas of black ice due to temperatures falling below freezing after a day of rain (and, in some places, snow melt).

Areas of black ice can be expected through 8 a.m. as temperatures fall through the 30s, and in some of the coldest locations, 20s. Exercise caution if traveling tonight, especially on untreated bridges and overpasses. Some walkways will also be hazardous.

The Weather Statement is operative until 1 a.m. Saturday.

In addition, a Hazardous Weather Outlook warns of isolated snow squalls, mainly this afternoon, that could briefly reduce visibilities to half a mile or less and produce a quick coating of snow.

That's also for the four lower Hudson Valley counties.

"While accumulating snow is unlikely, the visibility could briefly be significantly reduced on area highways and blind motorists well east of the Appalachians," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.