Hazardous Outlooks Expanded For Hudson Valley Weekend

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — As a wintry storm heads our way, the National Weather Service has expanded its hazardous outlook to include Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties as well as Dutchess and Ulster.

However, as the system moves closer, predictions are solidifying that it won't strengthen into a real winter storm until it has mostly passed us.

"By the time the energy phases into a deepening storm, it’s over New England, and it's dry in the Hudson Valley," said the meteorologists at Hudson Valley Weather.

Still, the storm is expected to produce locally heavy rain at the onset, which could produce minor urban and poor drainage flooding, and potentially minor flooding along a few quick responding streams and already swollen rivers.

As the storm intensifies and tracks east of the area, the rain may end as a period of wet snow north and west of New York City before ending with only minor, if any accumulation expected. In addition to the heavy precipitation, strong northeast winds will gust to 35 to 45 mph at times, especially along the coast Saturday and Saturday evening. This will also present the potential for minor coastal impacts with the Saturday morning high tides.

A gale warning has been posted for Long Island Sound for 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday.

Here's a look at the next 48 hours in the region: