'Ominous' Storm To Start Christmas Eve In Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Flash flood watches were issued for the Hudson Valley Thursday into Friday and high wind warnings were posted for southern Westchester and eastern Dutchess counties.

"The projection for our Christmas Eve / Christmas Day storm system continues to be quite ominous," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather.

Gusty, damaging winds are expected to cause power outages throughout the region overnight Thursday into Friday, while 2-4 inches of rain and thunderstorms are possible. Once the stormy weather subsides, temperatures on Christmas will fall from a high of 60 degrees down into the 20s and the wind gusts will make it feel even colder.

The National Weather Service also issued a coastal flood statement for southern Westchester County Thursday morning, adding to hazardous weather outlooks, flood watches and wind advisories.

Waves on Long Island Sound are expected to reach 5-10 feet.

The storm will rage from Christmas Eve through lunchtime on Christmas Day, forecasters said. The heaviest rains will fall from about 11 p.m. Thursday to 11 a.m. Friday.

"It's obviously been a rough year, that goes without saying," Potter said in a discussion on Facebook. "Not having a white Christmas is one thing, but how this is going to play out, it's like kicking everyone when they're down."

Here's a look at the hour-by-hour forecast:

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