Freezing Rain, Snow, Sleet, Rain: Hudson Valley Monday Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A storm packed with "wintry mix" is due to hit the region on Presidents Day and last into Tuesday, and the National Weather Service has updated the hazardous outlook for Dutchess and Ulster counties.

Exactly which communities in the region will get how much snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain is uncertain. The forecast models show that the line between snow, freezing rain and rain could easily shift in the region above and below the usual climate lines of I-287 and I-84.

"6 hours of freezing rain, with temperatures in the mid 20s … could result in severe icing, depending on how much freezing rain falls in the Hudson Valley," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "Downed trees and powerlines could be an issue."

The storm, which is coming in from Texas and Oklahoma is expected to dump a lot of snow on upstate New York and New England, but not the Hudson Valley.

"Over a large part of the mid-Atlantic and New England regions especially near the coast, only a shallow layer of cold air may be in place," said Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "That means that a period of sleet and freezing rain is more likely, instead of just rain or snow."

For Ulster and Dutchess: Snow, sleet, and/or freezing rain are expected late Monday into Tuesday morning which could result in difficult travel conditions.

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties:

• Washingtons Birthday - Cloudy. A chance of freezing rain, sleet with a slight chance of snow in the morning, then a chance of freezing rain, sleet and rain in the afternoon. Highs in the low to mid 30s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
• Monday Night - Freezing rain likely with a chance of sleet in the evening, then freezing rain after midnight. Little or no sleet accumulation. Lows in the low to mid 20s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
• Tuesday - Mostly cloudy. Freezing rain and sleet in the morning, then a chance of sleet, freezing rain and snow in the afternoon. Little or no snow accumulation. Highs in the low 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.

"Any way we slice it… conditions Monday afternoon through Tuesday AM look quite icy in the Hudson Valley. Make sure you plan accordingly," said the folks at Hudson Valley Weather. "Conditions for travel likely don’t improve until midday on Tuesday."

And, by the way, here is potential for another widespread winter weather event Thursday into Friday bringing accumulating snow and/or a wintry mix, the National Weather Service says.