WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Arctic air rushed into the region after the snow wrapped up yesterday mid-day. Temperatures were starting to drop as the winds were picking up.

All the freshly fallen, soft snow turned rock hard as the temps dipped well below the freezing point overnight. This has led to hard batches of snow, icy patches, and slick spots.

Around 1-6" of snow fell across the Hudson Valley with some of the higher numbers in Orange and Westchester Counties.

Bitterly cold air will linger through the day today but thankfully the gusty winds from the morning will back down as time goes on.

Temps will feel into the teens today but will feel warmer as the week goes on.

Temps will get into the 40s and 50s by the end of the work week ahead of our next system.

That one could bring rain overnight Thursday into Friday. But through the daytime hours Friday, temps will start to drop as winds pick up.

Next weekend is looking cold again. Winter officially arrives at 10:03 AM Sunday, with the marking of the Winter Solstice.

10-DAY FORECAST:

TODAY: BITTER BLAST - Mix of sun and clouds with cold, gusty winds through much of the day. Expect bitterly cold temps in the morning & patches of black ice. Highs: upper 20s. Lows: upper 10s.

TONIGHT: Increasing clouds with a light breeze at times. Lows: upper 10s to mid-20s.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: upper 20s to low 30s. Lows: low 20s.

WEDNESDAY: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs: upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: mid-to-upper 20s.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with a rain chance late in the day. Highs: upper 40s. Lows: mid-40s.

FRIDAY: WEATHER TO WATCH - Mostly cloudy with a rain chance in the morning hours and gusty winds to follow for the afternoon. Temperatures will drop through the day. Highs: upper 40s to low 50s. Lows: low 20s.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs: mid-30s. Lows: low 30s.

SUNDAY: WINTER SOLSTICE (WINTER ARRIVES AT 10:03 AM) - Mostly cloudy with a rain chance. Highs: low to mid-40s. Lows: mid-30s.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: low 30s.

TUESDAY: Cloudy. Highs: upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: upper 20s to low 30s.

WEDNESDAY: CHRISTMAS EVE - Mostly sunny. Highs: mid-30s. Lows: mid-20s.