An icy end to the year 🥶
Update #686: Arctic cold fronts to end 2025, start 2026 in the Hudson Valley.
December will finish the way it started in the Hudson Valley: cold.
And January will start the way December ends: cold.
A polar vortex disruption — an unusual weather phenomenon that unfolded above the North Pole around Thanksgiving — led to the coldest and snowiest start to winter in years.
The impacts of this disruption can take weeks or months to filter through the climate system.
While there are some signs of change in January, the Hudson Valley will still be stuck in this polar vortex pattern for at least the next two weeks.
On a more urgent note, the region is also bracing for a period of freezing rain starting between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday evening. Because ground temperatures are well below freezing, a glaze of ice will create dangerous driving and walking conditions into early Monday. It’s best to avoid traveling if you can. Winter weather advisories are in effect from Sunday evening to early Monday morning. Rising temperatures and a period of plain rain on Monday morning will wash away the ice.
The week ahead
The week ahead will be very cold and windy at times in the Hudson Valley, featuring bouts of snow and more clouds than sun. Arctic cold fronts will cross the region on Monday and Wednesday night 🥶
Monday: a few mild hours with some rain… then becoming windy and cold once again
Tuesday: windy and frigid with flurries and snow showers around
Wednesday: cold and windy… there’s a chance for flurries as the clock strikes 12 ❄️
Thursday: frigid again following the passage of another Arctic front
Friday: it will still be freezing, but the sun might just return!
Saturday-Sunday: for now, it looks chilly but mainly dry; however, a storm may be brewing to the south that needs watching…
Looking ahead to the week of January 5, it still looks cold. And there might just be a chance for a storm as people go back to work and school.
On a final note, thanks to everyone across the Hudson Valley who shared their views of the snow on Friday night! Here are a few of my favorites from around the region:
Happy New Year! To followers old and new, thanks for your interest and support this year and all years. Here’s to a great 2026… and warmer weather soon ✌️
