ALERTS:

Fire Weather Watch in effect for Saturday for Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Gusty winds will move in from the northwest at speeds up to 25 mph or higher. The relative humidity levels will run very low (20%) and the vegetation will remain dry so there will be an elevated fire growth and spread potential.

Coastal Flood Advisory for south Westchester County in effect until Friday at 1 p.m.

A total of 1 to 2 feet of flooding is possible along the immediate shoreline of the Long Island Sound, especially around high tide cycles.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

For Friday and Saturday, the winds will be picking up with gusts going up to and over 25 mph for Saturday.

The vegetation is very dry and the humidity very low. As the winds increase, there will be an increase in concerns for wildfires to start and/or spread Saturday. While a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Saturday, it is likely to be upgraded to a Fire Weather Warning. Do not use anything with an open flame and please properly and fully put out any discarded cigarettes. The smoke will make for lowered air quality around the fires but as the winds pick up, that smoke will travel to the south and east. Locations in Rockland and Westchester Counties are already looking at lowered air quality for Friday.

Sunday, the winds back down as the sun stays out. It will be a relatively nice day across the region. The winds will pick up Monday though, as a mix of sun and clouds comes overhead. A system was trying to bring in showers to the region, but drier air is keeping that from happening. There is a chance for showers by the second half of next week.

FALL FOLIAGE COLORS:

DROUGHT MONITOR:

There is a Severe Drought (a 3 out of 5 on our scale) all across all our counties. There hasn't been significant measurable rain in over two months.

TROPICS: There is one system being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Sara formed from PTC 19 Thursday in the western portion of the Caribbean Sea near Honduras. It is forecast to move westward, along the coast of Honduras and then shift towards Belize over the course of the next several days. It could end up in the Gulf of Mexico by Monday.

FIRE WEATHER RISK:

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the entire region for Saturday. Winds are expected to gusts at least 25 mph as the air remains dry and the vegetation very dry.

10-DAY FORECAST:

OVERNIGHT: Mostly cloudy and cold. There will be a little bit of a wind chill with a light breeze around. Lows: Mid-20s to mid-30s.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny with breezy winds at times. Highs: Mid-50s. Lows: Upper 30s.

SATURDAY: Fire Weather Watch - Sunny and windy. Highs: Upper 50s to low 60s. Lows: Mid- to upper 30s.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: Upper 50s to low 60s. Lows: Upper 30s to low 40s.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy and breezy with a very small chance of some drizzle in the AM. Highs: Upper 50s to low 60s. Lows: Upper 30s to low 40s.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs: Upper 50s to low 60s. Lows: Upper 30s to low 40s.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs: Upper 50s. Lows: Low 40s.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain. Highs: Mid-50s. Lows: Upper 30s to low 40s.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance for showers. Highs: Upper 40s to low 50s. Lows: Mid-30s.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: Upper 40s to low 50s. Lows: Mid- to upper 30s.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: Upper 40s to low 50s. Lows: Mid-30s.