Winter storm NY latest: What Hudson Valley can expect to see
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. Brian Frugis is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Albany.
Across the Hudson Valley, expect a snow storm this weekend to start off 2024.
Beginning on Saturday evening, with the height of the storm predicted to be Saturday night, get your shovels and snow blowers ready, along with ice-melting compounds.
According to AccuWeather, millions in the Northeast are predicted to be hit by this storm, with travel conditions being impacted.
Latest Hudson Valley weather update: How much snow to expect
The National Weather Service has now issued a winter storm watch for the mid Hudson Valley, including Dutchess and Ulster counties. The storm is predicted to bring 6 to 12 inches of snow, with wind gusts as high as 35 mph.
The winter storm watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening. Snow fall rates at the height of the storm, late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, could be as much as an inch of snow per hour.
Travel may become exceedingly difficult, as there will be snow-covered roads and reduced visibility.
How much snow will the Hudson Valley get
Brian Frugis, meteorologist with the National Weather Service at Albany, said Wednesday the storm will taper off at some point during the day on Sunday, but it was unclear at the time how much snow the Hudson Valley would get.
Frugis said there's a possibility the storm will hit everywhere from New York City to Albany, but it's hard to determine at this point which areas will be hit the hardest. "That'll depend on where the storm exactly tracks," he said.
Will ice, winter mix hit Hudson Valley?
Regarding ice accumulation, Frugis said Wednesday there's always a potential, but it doesn't seem likely. "As of right now, it looks like at least for the Hudson Valley, there should just be snow with this storm," he said.
AccuWeather meteorologists anticipate the storm to start with heavy rainfall across the southeastern states Saturday morning, moving to the Northeast and colliding with an area of colder air from the Great Lakes to the rest of the Northeast. In turn, this is predicted to lead to a zone of snow to form.
Hudson Valley travel impact as storm heads for Northeast
When traveling, expect roads to deteriorate, with wet, slushy and snow-covered conditions predicted.
Frugis suggested avoiding travel Saturday night if possible.
"We'll be refining the forecast over the next few days, but ones like this can be tricky," he said. "They can shift and can cause some differences where the heaviest totals wind up being."
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com: 845-863-3518
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Winter storm NY latest: What Hudson Valley can expect to see
