Flash Floods Then Dangerous Heat In The Hudson Valley

The National Weather Service has updated its hazardous outlooks for the Hudson Valley, warning people about possible storms and localized flash flooding before increasingly dangerous heat into the weekend.

Southern Westchester is under a flash flood watch as of 2 p.m.

Total rainfall amounts through Thursday evening are expected to range between 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts. Rainfall rates could exceed an inch an hour.

Any thunderstorms Wednesday may also bring gusty winds. The weather will remain mostly cloudy and humid on Thursday with the ongoing chance of showers, with some of the rain being locally heavy. The rain will become less widespread and taper off during Thursday night.

Then it will get hotter and hotter into the weekend. There will be no relief at night because temps will stay in the mid to high 70s.

By Saturday, "temps will reach the mid to upper 90s to near 110 degrees across the entire region with the exception of the Catskills. Once you factor in the dew points you can really see where things get pretty nasty!" said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "Some parts of the Hudson Valley may see heat indices that exceed 110 degrees. These type of conditions can be deadly for the young, elderly and pets. It will be critical to limit your time outdoors, limit your physical activity, check on the elderly, stay very hydrated and stay as cool as possible!"

Plus, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski warns, paved and concrete surfaces can be dozens of degrees higher than the air temperature. That's not just hazardous for walkers, including pets, but also for motorists.

"Driving at high speed, excessive braking and weaving in and out of traffic during very hot weather can cause the tire temperature to exceed manufacturer's safety limits and lead to a blowout," he said.

The NWS said in its flash flood watch for southern Westchester:

The remnants of post tropical cyclone Barry will move through the area later today and tonight bringing the potential for heavy showers and thunderstorms. Excessive runoff could lead to flash flooding of urban and poor drainage areas. Some fast- responding small streams could approach or exceed bank full. Rainfall rates of one inch per hour or more are possible.

The NWS hazardous outlook for Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester:

Wednesday: There is a slight risk of severe weather with the potential for damaging wind gusts and a chance for localized flash flooding this afternoon and evening as the remnants of post tropical storm Barry approach and move through the local area.

Thursday through Tuesday: Excessive heat and humidity are becoming increasingly likely on Saturday with high temperatures ranging from the mid 90s to around 100 along with maximum heat index values between 105 and 110.

For Dutchess and Ulster:

Wednesday: There is a chance of thunderstorms today into tonight. There is a marginal to slight risk that some of these thunderstorms could become severe with isolated damaging wind gusts possible for areas near and especially south of the Interstate 90 corridor this afternoon into this evening. In addition, storms will be capable of producing heavy rain which could cause some flooding of poor drainage and low lying areas. Isolated flash flooding is possible, especially for areas south of Interstate 90.

Thursday through Tuesday: Hot and humid conditions will develop for Friday, Saturday and Sunday with heat indices potentially exceeding 100 degrees during the afternoon hours. Heat Advisories and or Excessive Heat Warnings may need to be issued. There is a chance of thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through Saturday night across the southern Adirondacks and western Mohawk Valley, and across most areas Sunday afternoon and evening.