Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Today until 7

Mother Nature is kicking up her heels this afternoon and the Hudson Valley could see some thunderstorms into this evening.

The National Weather Service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 227 in effect until 7 pm this evening for the following areas. In New York, this watch includes 15 counties, Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren, and Washington.

In addition, The National weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for South Central Greene and Northeastern Ulster counties. A strong thunderstorm will affect Saugerties, Hunter, Woodstock, North-South Lake Campground, Saugerties South, Woodland Valley Campground, Mount Tremper, Kenneth l Wilson Campground, West Hurley, West Shokan, Phoenicia, Lanesville, Lake Katrine, Veteran, Shandaken, Tivoli, Centerville, Denning, Tannersville, and Edgewood.

At 1:51 pm, a strong thunderstorm was near Woodland Valley Campground, or 19 miles north of Ellenville, moving northeast at 20 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 15 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

The National Weather Service radar indicates that there is another line of storms currently impacting Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, Pennsylvania, which will be moving into our area in a few hours. Heavy thunderstorms are expected around 5 this evening.