Utilities Prep For Gusty Winds, Storms: Hudson Valley Forecast

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A storm system is bringing gusty winds to the Hudson Valley on Friday, and the National Weather Service has already posted a hazardous outlook for Dutchess and Ulster counties.

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible Friday with brief heavy downpours. Strong gusty winds are possible from thunderstorms and in the wake of a cold front late Friday afternoon.

The storm is expected to dump a lot of rain north and west of the region.

"Some scattered rain showers are likely Thursday night and Friday morning as the system passes by. But the main threat for the Hudson Valley will come in the form of strong wind gusts that will be wrapping around the deepening low-pressure system," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather. "Winds will intensify out of the west/southwest on Friday … and the winds will be strong enough to likely result in Wind Advisories being posted."

NYSEG has already begun preparing. Utility company officials said Thursday that they expect the storm to affect its entire customer service area, including Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties.

"In the central and eastern parts of the state, peak winds have the potential to reach 40-50 mph," NYSEG officials said, urging customers to monitor weather forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions. "Gusty winds have the potential to bring down trees and limbs, causing damage to overhead power lines and other electrical equipment."

NYSEG reminded customers:

• Keep battery-operated flashlights and radios on hand, along with supplies of drinking water and non-perishable foods.
• Make sure that smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are fully charged.
• Fill your car’s fuel tank.
• Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line.

Also, expect things to get warm and humid.

"Along with the feisty nature of this late-March storm will be a surge of warmth just ahead of the system Thursday and just as the feature swings by during Friday," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "Friday is forecast to be even warmer in many areas, especially the mid-Atlantic, despite rain and/or thunderstorms for part of the day."

By the end of the weekend, temps will drop to normal for the end of March. The National Weather Service forecast for New City:

• Thursday-Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
• Thursday night-Showers likely, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Friday-Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Friday Night-Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
• Saturday-Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Saturday Night-Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
• Sunday-Showers likely, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
• Sunday Night-A 50 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
• Monday-Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.