Above: Catskills icicles. Photo by Mark Zilberman, via the Watershed Post Flickr pool.
Hello 2015! We're back after a holiday break, just in time for winter to really sink its teeth into the Catskills.
The National Weather Service is warning that high winds will batter Greene, Schoharie and Ulster counties throughout the day on Monday, Jan. 5, that downed power lines and outages are possible, and that "loose objects may be propelled:"
Wind Advisory In Effect Until 6 PM EST This Evening...Strong And Gusty West To Northwest Winds.* Winds...15 To 30 Mph With Gusts Occasionally 40 To 50 Mph.* Timing...Winds Increasing This Morning Into The Early afternoon...Then Decreasing Towards Sunset.* Impacts...Isolated Power Outages May Occur Due To Damage To Tree limbs And Power Lines. Travel Will Also Be Difficult For High profile Vehicles. Loose Objects May Be Propelled. Instructions: A Wind Advisory Means That Wind Gusts Of 46 To 57 Mph Are Expected.Winds This Strong Can Make Driving Difficult...Especially For High profile Vehicles. Use Extra Caution.
The gusts are the leading edge of a deep freeze. Cold temperatures expected later this week have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Hazardous Weather Outlook warning for Tuesday, Jan. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 10 for parts of Greene and Ulster counties:
DANGEROUSLY COLD TO LIFE-THREATENING WIND CHILLS ARE LIKELY WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING.
According to Hudson Valley Weather, the mercury will stay below freezing all week long:
[W]e’re looking at a 5 day period with daytime highs in the low 20s, and night time lows near 10°. Those of you who were wondering “where is winter?”… you now have your answer.
