Deep Freeze, Snow Threats: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A shift of the polar vortex may bring snow flurries before it sends temperatures plummeting across the region Friday night through the weekend.

Dutchess and Ulster counties are under a hazardous outlook from the National Weather Service. Snow showers and some heavier squalls are possible into early Friday evening. Rapid deterioration in visibility associated with brief heavy snow and gusty winds will occur within any snow squalls.

"As a tiny piece of the polar vortex spins across southern Canada, forecasters say that a small dose of Arctic air will be turned loose on the northeastern United States," said Nicole LoBiondo, AccuWeather meteorologist.

Upstate is expecting a foot or more of lake effect snow through Friday.

In the Hudson Valley over the weekend, highs will only reach into the mid-20s and there will be a significant wind chill effect with gusts up to 30 mph. Temperatures will be 6-12 degrees below normal for late January, AccuWeather said.

Then, in the wake of that storm, a stronger storm threatens snow.

"We continue to watch next week for our first potential storm in what feels like forever," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "The pattern has been quiet, and it looks like our first storm threat in many days will come Monday night into Tuesday."

Here's the five-day forecast from the National Weather Service for Rockland County.

• Friday night - Partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers this evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Lows in the lower 20s. Northwest winds around 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow 20 percent.
• Saturday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
• Saturday Night - Mostly clear. Lows around 18. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
• Sunday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
• Sunday Night - Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday - Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.
• Monday Night - Cloudy. A chance of snow in the evening, then snow likely after midnight. Little or no snow accumulation. Lows in the mid 20s. Chance of snow 60 percent.
• Tuesday - Snow likely. Highs around 30. Chance of snow 70 percent.
• Tuesday Night - Mostly cloudy. A chance of snow in the evening. Lows in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 30 percent.