First flakes update ❄️
Update #523a
Are you ready for the first wintry weather of the season? Tonight’s the night, Hudson Valley 🕺 ❄️ ~ but don’t expect too much!
With wet snow set to arrive between 7:00-10:00 pm Tuesday evening and a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for much of the region, decision makers should prepare to rise early on Wednesday morning to assess regional conditions and determine if a delay is necessary.
The earlier start time of the wintry precipitation also means that it will end a little earlier too, with most locations going over to plain rain by 1:00 or 2:00 am Wednesday — the exception being the Catskills, where wintry precipitation could linger until 3:00 or 4:00 am.
Giving the timing of the storm and only marginally cold temperatures, the impact factor is expected to be modest, but caution is advised, especially since it is the first event of the year.
Here’s what you need to know
What? Snow changing to rain. A light glaze of ice is possible in parts of the region, mainly in western Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan County.
When? Beginning between 7:00-10:00 pm Tuesday from southwest to northeast. The wintry precipitation will change to plain rain from south to north in the Hudson Valley by 1:00 or 2:00 am and by 3:00 or 4:00 am in the Catskills.
How much? A half inch to two inches in western Orange (west of Middletown), Ulster, and Sullivan County, some sticking to side roads and in hilly areas. A coating to at most an inch in central and eastern Orange, Dutchess, and Putnam County, mainly on grass. At most a coating in Rockland and Westchester.
Temperatures? For much of the region, temperatures are expected to be near or a few degrees above freezing during the storm, limiting roadway accumulation. For the Catskills, temperatures will be near or just below freezing, allowing for more to stick.
Impact? Modest. Main roads and highways should remain wet, but side roads and hilly areas may become slushy for a time — particularly north of I-84 and in the Catskills. School delays on Wednesday morning have a medium chance in Sullivan and western Ulster County, a low-to-medium chance in western Orange County (west of Middletown) and eastern Ulster County, and a low chance elsewhere.
Rain will gradually end on Wednesday morning, giving way to a chilly rest of the week. Flurries are possible on Thursday and Friday 🌨️
Drop by Twitter on Tuesday evening for school-by-school delay percentages!
Stay safe and warm out there ✌️
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