Hudson Valley Forecast: Heat, Bad Air, Thunderstorms, Cold Front

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Heat indices are expected to again reach 104 degrees in the region, and the threat for scattered severe/damaging wind gusts and isolated marginally severe hail will increase late Wednesday morning into the afternoon.

The main threats will be from damaging wind gusts, frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile the air quality is bad enough in Rockland and Westchester that an alert has been issued until 11 p.m. Wednesday.

In a few communities, the heat index could briefly touch 105 F.

Lines of strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of a cold front through the afternoon and early evening hours Wednesday.

Then, on Thursday there is the potential for flash flooding ahead of and along that slow-moving cold front.

Here's the six-day forecast based on Putnam County from the NWS:

• Wednesday - A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 101. West wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
• Tonight - Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 9pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 79. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Thursday Night - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
• Friday - Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday Night - A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
• Saturday - A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
• Saturday Night - A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
• Independence Day - A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Sunday Night - A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday - A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.