Heavy Snow, Freeze Headed To The Hudson Valley

UPDATE SUNDAY: NWS Issues Winter Storm Warnings For The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Temperatures will begin dropping Sunday as a cold front moves in ahead of a storm expected to hit the region late Monday night with heavy snow.

Not only will it be a shock after days of balmy sunshine, but deep snow and then a deep freeze is in store in the coming week.

"Monday will be a sunny day and we likely flirt with 50°F. It clouds up during Monday night with temperatures flirting with or just above freezing during the evening. You won’t even realize you’re on the cusp of an arrival of a significant or major wintry event," Bruce Furbeck of First Due Weather said on Facebook.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches predicting heavy snow from late Monday through Tuesday afternoon. Snowfall rates may reach 1 inch per hour at times late Monday night into Tuesday morning where the heaviest snowfall is expected. Travel could be very difficult, and hazardous conditions could affect the Tuesday morning commute.

• For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern Westchester counties, total snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches are possible, with higher amounts around 10 inches possible across the higher elevations. Southern Westchester might see 3 to 5 inches with locally higher amounts possible.
• For Dutchess and Ulster counties, total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Northeasterly winds Tuesday morning will shift to northwesterly winds, which will remain brisk and gusty Tuesday night.

"This will be a nor’easter with heavy snow at times and strong gusty winds making it difficult to see during the day and even worse at night. So, no hype, no panicking, just be prepared before it starts," Todd Snow of Hudson Valley Weather said on Facebook. "Charge your cell phones, fuel up your vehicles, etc ... the usual routine. You have from now through Monday afternoon to prepare."

"Airline delays and flight cancellations will mount as snow affects Boston and later spreads to New York City and Philadelphia, prompting deicing operations," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "Motorists heading west from New York City along Interstate 80, as well as motorists heading north on the Thruway, will encounter heavy snow and difficult travel."

Along the Sound Shore of southern Westchester the storm will bring more coastal flooding with the Tuesday AM high tide.

It will also bring a dramatic change in temperatures.

"By Wednesday morning our temperatures are in the teens and we struggle to reach the upper 20s," Furbeck said. "Friday morning is likely our coldest of the upcoming week with a start potentially in the single digits."

Here's the daily forecast based on Rockland County:

• Saturday night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers early. Lows around 40. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Sunday - Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
• Monday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
• Monday Night - Cloudy. A chance of rain in the evening, then snow with rain likely after midnight. Light snow accumulation. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
• Tuesday - Snow likely, mainly in the morning. Additional heavy snow accumulation possible. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of snow 70 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s.
• Wednesday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.
• Wednesday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.