858
FXUS61 KALY 121415
AFDALY

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albany NY
1015 AM EDT Thu Mar 12 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Increased PoPs for areas south/east of Albany this morning into
this afternoon. Flood Warnings have been issued for minor
flooding along the Housatonic River at Falls Village,
Gaylordsville and below Stevenson Dam.

Wind Advisory has been issued until 5 PM today for the Mohawk
Valley, NE Catskills, Capital Region, central Taconics and
Berkshires. Confidence has increased for peak wind gusts to
reach up to 50 mph in these areas, mainly through this morning
resulting in some downed tree limbs and a few power outages.

Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Friday afternoon through
early Saturday afternoon for Hamilton and N. Herkimer counties,
where there is the potential for 7" or more of snowfall
resulting in possible hazardous travel impacts.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Minor river flooding occurring the Housatonic River in NW CT
and may occur across portions of the southern Adirondacks and
upper Mohawk Valley today into Friday due to the runoff from
snow melt, rainfall and any isolated ice jams.

2) In the wake of a cold front, strong gusty winds expected
today with some gusts up to 50 mph within the Wind Advisory
area.

3) Transition to snow showers later this morning into this
afternoon, with minor accumulations possible across portions of
the Taconics and Litchfield Hills.

4) Clipper system brings a period of moderate to locally heavy
snow across portions of SW Adirondacks Friday afternoon into
early Saturday afternoon. Strong gusty winds also expected with
and behind this clipper system late Friday night into Saturday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...

Pockets of moderate to heavy rainfall along with snowmelt is
resulting in river rises across the southern Adirondacks,
Mohawk Valley and upper Hudson Valley where a Flood Watch
remains in effect through this afternoon. Latest NERFC forecasts
indicate possible minor flooding starting this morning along
the West Canada Creek at Kast Bridge, and the Sacandaga River at
Hope, and the Mohawk River at Delta Dam later early Friday
morning. There has been less rainfall than previously expected
across the SW Adirondacks, so forecast river levels have
decreased from earlier ones.

Runoff from moderate to heavy rain has led to high water levels
across portions of the Housatonic River in NW CT, where flood
warnings are in effect for minor flooding at Falls Village,
Gaylordsville and below Stevenson Dam.

Will also need to watch for additional ice movement within
creeks/rivers across portions of the southern Adirondacks, as
local ice jams could enhance isolated flood potential as well.

KEY MESSAGE 2...

Strong gusty winds are expected with and in the wake of strong
cold front this morning and early afternoon. NYS Mesonet
observations have indicated wind gusts of 35-45 mph early this
morning across western and central NYS. As the front advances
east, pressure rises are expected to sharply increase amid
strong cold advection. As strong west/northwest winds channel
down the Mohawk Valley into the Capital Region and Berkshires,
gusts of 40-50 mph are expected, and a Wind Advisory has been
issued through this afternoon. Within the Advisory area, gusty
winds are more likely to down some tree limbs and result in a
few power outages. Outside of the Advisory area, still expect
wind gusts of 35-45 mph.

Although it appears the strongest/most frequent gusts are most
likely through mid morning, a few strong gusts may still linger
into this afternoon as mixing depth increases.

KEY MESSAGE 3...

A wave of low pressure is expected to develop along the
departing cold front today in response to approaching upper
level trough. Areas from Albany south and east will also be
within the right entrance region of a jet max. Some added
moisture/upper level energy from southern stream disturbance
looks to ride up along the front, and prolongs precipitation for
areas from Albany south and east later this morning through
early/mid afternoon. As the cold air moves in, rain showers will
change to snow, and some light accumulations will be possible
mainly on colder surfaces from Albany south and east.
Accumulations of up to an inch will be possible across some
higher terrain areas of the southern Taconics, Berkshires and
Litchfield Hills. Most accumulations will be on colder surfaces,
however can not rule out some locally slippery travel
conditions where the most persistent snow showers occur.
Additional scattered snow showers/flurries will be possible
farther north and west across the Capital Region, eastern
Catskills and Mohawk Valley as the upper level trough passes
this afternoon.

KEY MESSAGE 4...

A strong clipper system will approach from the Great Lakes
Friday. A warm front associated with this system will allow snow
to develop for areas mainly near and north of I-90 late Friday
morning. The snow will become showery for areas south and east
of the Adirondacks by afternoon, with some rain occurring in
valley areas where boundary layer temps warm into the upper 30s
to lower 40s. Snow will persist across the SW Adirondacks Friday
afternoon and night, where upslope processes in addition to
closer proximity to better forcing will occur. In these areas,
the potential for moderate to locally heavy snow will exist,
with total accumulations of 7" or more possible across portions
of Hamilton County and northern Herkimer County. A Winter Storm
Watch has therefore been issued for these areas. Light to
moderate snowfall will be possible across portions of the upper
Hudson Valley and northern portions of the Mohawk Valley.

Strong winds are possible with, and especially in the wake of
this clipper system for Saturday. 01Z/NBM indicates 24-hour
probs ending 2 AM Sunday for max wind gusts >45 mph at 40-70%
across portions of the Mohawk Valley/Capital Region and
Berkshires, as well as some higher terrain areas of the eastern
Catskills and SE Adirondacks. Similar probs for max wind gusts
>55 mph are 20-30% across some of these areas as well.
Strongest winds are most likely behind the system`s cold front
late Friday night into Saturday.

&&

.AVIATION /14Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Through 12z Friday...As of 6:50 AM EDT...Flying conditions are VFR
at ALB/GFL and MVFR at POU/PSF. A strong cold front has moved off to
the east of the region, and some lingering showers and MVFR
vsbys/cigs are possible for the first hour or two of the TAF period
behind the front at ALB/POU. ALB/POU/GFL should all see a return to
VFR conditions by mid-morning, however. At PSF, upslope flow will
likely result in MVFR cigs lingering through at least early this
afternoon.

Weak wave of low pressure developing along the cold front may spread
some light snow showers back into the region this afternoon, so have
maintained prob30 groups at POU/PSF, but changed precip type to all
snow based on latest data. Any snow showers will generally be light,
with little to no accumulation, but brief MVFR/IFR vsbys and
MVFR cigs possible with any snow showers. Not expecting the snow
showers to reach ALB/GFL. Once snow showers end, mainly MVFR
cigs with SCT to BKN mid-level clouds around through this
evening and tonight.

Winds will be from the W/NW at 10-20 kt with gusts of 25-35 kt
today, strongest at ALB/PSF. ALB/PSF will also have LLWS this
morning with 50-60 kt low-level jet overhead from the W/NW. Winds at
POU/GFL become light and variable tonight, but at ALB/PSF remain at
5-10 kt from the west through tonight, with gusts to 15-20 kt,
especially at PSF.

Outlook...

Friday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Windy With Gusts To 30 kts. Chance of RA...SN.
Saturday: Moderate Operational Impact. Windy With Gusts To 37 kts. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: Low Operational Impact. Breezy. NO SIG WX.
Sunday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of RA...SN.
Sunday Night: High Operational Impact. Breezy. Likely RA...SN.
Monday: High Operational Impact. Windy With Gusts To 31 kts. Definite RA.

&&

.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
NY...Wind Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for NYZ038>040-
     047>054-058>061.
     Flood Watch until 2 PM EDT this afternoon for NYZ032-033-038-
     039-041>043-082-083.
     Winter Storm Watch from Friday morning through Saturday
     afternoon for NYZ032-033.
MA...Wind Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for MAZ001-025.
VT...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...24/07
AVIATION...35