After weeks of soaking rain, flash flooding concerns and repeated thunderstorms across downstate New York, Labor Day weekend is shaping up to bring a much-needed stretch of dry, pleasant weather.
The National Weather Service's New York office says showers and thunderstorms could affect parts of the region Friday, but the forecast turns mainly dry and seasonably comfortable for the holiday weekend. Forecasters expect sunshine from Saturday through Labor Day, with highs generally in the 70s and low 80s across New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. National Weather Service
The improving forecast comes after an active stretch of late-summer weather that brought heavy rain and severe thunderstorm threats to parts of New York.
A few storms possible Friday before conditions improve
Friday
is expected to be the only day of the holiday weekend with a meaningful chance of rain.
The National Weather Service says a frontal system moving through the region could produce scattered showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon. The latest forecast calls for a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. in New York City, with partly sunny skies and a high near 82 degrees.
Friday night, the chance of showers and thunderstorms drops to 30%, mainly before 8 p.m. Conditions should then improve as the system moves away.
Sunshine dominates the holiday weekend
Once Friday's system exits, forecasters expect a much quieter weather pattern across the metropolitan area and Hudson Valley.
Saturday is expected to be sunny, with a high near 79 degrees and a low around 65 Saturday night.
Sunday looks mostly sunny and slightly cooler, with a high near 75 degrees and overnight temperatures dipping into the low 60s.
Labor Day on Monday is forecast to be sunny, with a high near 79 degrees before temperatures fall into the mid-60s Monday night.
Here's what to expect where you live
New York City
The city could see showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon before conditions turn mostly sunny for the rest of the holiday weekend. High temperatures will range from the mid-70s to low 80s.
Lower Hudson Valley
Communities in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties could see showers or thunderstorms Friday afternoon, but conditions should turn drier and more comfortable for the remainder of the weekend.
Long Island
Long Island could see showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon before a stretch of sunny, comfortable weather arrives for the holiday weekend. Saturday's high is expected to be around 80 degrees, followed by highs in the mid-70s Sunday and upper 70s Monday.
NYC area Labor Day weekend forecast
Friday, Sept. 4Partly sunny, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 82. Low around 70.
Saturday, Sept. 5Sunny. High near 79. Partly cloudy at night. Low around 65.
Sunday, Sept. 6Mostly sunny. High near 75. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 62.
Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day)Sunny. High near 79. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 65.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NYC, Hudson Valley Labor Day weekend weather: Here's what to expect
