Tornado, Hail, 60 MPH Winds Possible Thursday In Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Severe weather, including chances for tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds and flash floods, will hit the Hudson Valley Thursday.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has placed the region at an enhanced risk for severe thunderstorms.

The weather service forecast for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties reads, "Severe thunderstorms are likely with damaging wind gusts of 60 mph or higher, along with large hail as the primary threats. An isolated tornado is also possible along with brief heavy rainfall."

The forecast for Dutchess and Ulster counties adds a caution about flash flooding: "There is a chance for severe thunderstorms Thursday. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. In addition, locally heavy rainfall is possible from thunderstorms with the threat for flash flooding."

The rest of the work week will be hot and humid, then the threat of thunderstorms returns on Saturday, NWS said.

Saturday is also the day Hurricane Laura, now a Category 4 storm, could pass along the New York coast on its way into the North Atlantic. SEE: Hurricane Laura: Evacuations Ordered Across Texas Gulf Coast

Here's the forecast for Putnam County:

• Wednesday night-Partly cloudy this evening, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.
• Thursday-Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then mostly sunny with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail in the afternoon. More humid with highs in the mid 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Thursday Night-Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of showers. A chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight. Some thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail in the evening. Humid with lows in the upper 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
• Friday-Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Friday Night-Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Saturday-Showers likely. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 60 percent.
• Saturday Night-Showers likely. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 60 percent.