Unrelenting rain finally gives way to intense heat
After eight consecutive weekends of measurable rainfall across the Hudson Valley, a significant weather shift is poised to take over Upstate New York. According to local meteorologist Ben Noll, the wet weekends, stretching back to late April, may finally come to a halt—just in time for the summer solstice on Friday, June 21.
While residents may find temporary relief from rain, that reprieve comes with a trade-off: soaring heat and intense humidity.
Heat and humidity to dominate mid-to-late June
Starting Wednesday, June 18, the Hudson Valley will begin to experience oppressive humidity, peaking between Wednesday and Thursday, with conditions set to become even more intense the following week, starting June 23.
Temperatures are expected to climb sharply, aligning with a broader heat wave pushing Washington, D.C. into the upper 90s°F (about 35–37°C). Similar extremes could track northward, engulfing much of eastern New York.
“Absurd” heat possible next week
Forecast models shared by Ben Noll suggest that what lies ahead may be best described as “absurd HEAT” for the Hudson Valley. Highs could creep toward the mid-to-upper 90s°F (around 35°C), a stark contrast to the cooler, stormier pattern of the past several weeks.
The airmass expected next week will be highly saturated, leading to dangerous heat index values and potentially record-challenging nighttime lows in the upper 70s°F (around 25°C), giving little overnight relief.
Humidity becomes the dominant weather story
Unlike the persistent rains that have soaked weekends since April, the incoming humid regime will stretch across entire weeks. Dewpoints are forecast to exceed 70°F (21°C), signaling a muggy, tropical environment that could feel oppressive at times, especially for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead: dry skies, but stifling heat
For the week of June 16 to June 22, dry skies will finally return to the Hudson Valley, but the heat will be unrelenting. Daily highs are expected to consistently reach into the 90s°F (32–35°C), particularly during the latter half of the week.
Following the summer solstice, the outlook points to a continuation of the heat trend, with potential expansion across other parts of Upstate New York, including Albany, Schenectady, and parts of the Catskills and Mohawk Valley.
