Most Of Lower Hudson Valley Joins Putnam In Severe Drought Conditions

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought conditions worsening across the Hudson Valley — now Rockland County and most of Dutchess and Westchester are categorized as "severe."

More than 6 percent of New York is now in a severe drought — most of the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and most of New York City. The NOAA says that 14.5 million people in the state are now affected by drought conditions.

Conditions have exacerbated the wildfires at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster and Sullivan counties. The park is closed to visitors until further notice, state officials said.

The National Weather Service reported that the last 30 days have seen less than half of normal rainfall in the region. "Below normal precipitation signals persist at the 60 and 90 day time frame, but the most significant dryness has been since the start of June. Temperatures have been well above normal for the last 30 days, as much as 5 degrees above normal. The below normal rainfall and above normal temperatures have contributed to a rapid deterioration of drought conditions over the last 30 to 45 days."

Here is the weather report through Labor Day based on Putnam County.

• Thursday Afternoon - Sunny. Near steady temperature in the upper 70s. Northwest winds around 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
• Thursday night - Clear. Lows in the lower 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph in the evening.
• Friday - Sunny. Highs around 80. Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
• Friday Night - Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds around 5 mph.
• Saturday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.
• Sunday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Labor Day - Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Monday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.