National Weather Service forecasters are warning Catskills residents that high winds are expected to develop tonight and tomorrow, increasing the risk of downed trees and power outages across the region. The area is already under a flood watch, with heavy rains expected to fall later in the evening.
The National Weather Service in Albany issued a high wind warning for a large swath of eastern New York tonight and tomorrow, including Ulster, Greene and Schoharie Counties. The alert warns that winds gusting up to 65 miles per hour are expected to develop after 10pm tonight:
Southerly Winds Becoming West Thursday Morning At 20 To 35 Mph With Gusts To 65 Mph...With The Strongest Wind Gusts Expected Across Higher Elevations...And Across Portions Of The Western Mohawk Valley.
Timing...Damaging Wind Gusts Are Likely This Evening And Overnight Associated With Downpours Ahead Of A Cold Front. Bands Of Heavy Rain Could Allow For Strong Winds Aloft To Mix Down To The Surface...Especially Over The Higher Terrain. In Addition...Winds Will Shift To The West Thursday Morning Behind The Cold Front And The Strong To Damaging Winds Will Be More Persistent And Widespread Across The Area.
Impacts...Damaging Winds May Bring Down Trees And Tree Limbs... Resulting In Scattered To Numerous Power Outages.
Winds...Southwest 25 To 35 Mph With Gusts Between 50 And 60 Mph.
Timing...Beginning This Evening, Southerly Winds Will Gust Ahead Of The Cold Front Especially At Higher Elevations. West Winds Will Develop On Thursday Morning Behind The Cold Front And Continue Into The Afternoon Hours.
Impacts...Strong Gusty Winds Will Cause Damage To Trees And Power Lines, Along With Power Outages.
Sullivan County is under a high wind advisory, in effect from 7pm tonight through 7pm Thursday.
On Facebook, Hudson Valley Weather is tracking the progress of the storm as it moves into the area from the Midwest. From a recent post:
Past experience is that a frozen ground and heavy rain can lead to flooding of basement not generally prone to flooding as the water will simply follow the path of least resistance. Remember not to drive through any water of unknown depth. Total rainfall of 1-3 inches possible.
Keep us posted on developing weather emergencies, road closures and flooding near you: Email us at editor@watershedpost.com, or leave a comment below.
