Damaging Winds, Fire Risk Possible In Hudson Valley Wednesday

Damaging winds and dry conditions could play havoc in the Hudson Valley Wednesday. The National Weather Service has issued advisories, a statement and even a red flag warning for parts of the region.

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties a wind advisory is in effect from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Accompanying that is a red flag warning in effect from noon to 11 p.m.

West winds 20 to 25 mph, with gusts from 45 to 50 mph, are forecast for Wednesday afternoon.

Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible.

The red flag warning indicates that the relative humidity could be as low as 19 percent, meaning that, combined with the strong winds, rapid fire spread is possible if ignition occurs.

For Columbia, Dutchess and Ulster counties, the NWS has issued a wind advisory in effect from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The forecast calls for west winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

Again, there will be dry conditions, so, combined with the winds, there is an elevated risk of brush fires across most of eastern New York from Wednesday afternoon into the evening.

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