Chances For Weekend Snowstorm Increase: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — With the next potentially big snowstorm still three days out, the National Weather Service is being cagey about the forecast though it has updated its hazardous outlooks for the region.

"There is increasing potential for a low-pressure storm system to bring heavy snowfall and high winds to portions of the area Friday night into Saturday night," the NWS said Wednesday morning.

Uncertainties remain with the track and intensity of the storm system and its resulting potential impacts.

"This is very typical with these kinds of storms," said Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather in a Fireside Chat Tuesday night on Facebook. "We're really in a window where what we can say is 'hey if you've got plans on Saturday, know there's a potential for a significant East Coast snowstorm' ... "We're very confident there's going to be a storm, we just don't know who's going to get the brunt."

Models differ on the storm's potential path and how close it will hug the coast.

"The exact track of the storm will not only determine which part of New England will be buried under a foot or more of snow but also whether part of the mid-Atlantic region could end up in the heavy snow zone or just face increasing dry and cold winds from the storm's backside," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

One thing forecasters are sure of: after the storm, temperatures will drop again.

"In the immediate wake of the storm, another blast of Arctic air will sweep across the East, and could cause additional impacts such as a rapid freeze-up to wet or slushy surfaces," Sosnowski said. "The harsh cold could also result in the potential for a frost or freeze frosts and freezes for areas as far south as Florida."