It was another morning that temperatures started in the 20s for much of the lower Hudson Valley. Keep a heavy coat with you all day with high temperatures in the 40s again this afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky.

While firefighting conditions are better today with just a very light breeze varying from northeast to southeast, air quality and smoky sky conditions will be lower today near the Greenwood Lake area fire due to ongoing, planned efforts to further contain that fire. Air quality for much of the lower Hudson Valley will stay good unless any other significant fires start.

With that lighter wind today, the overall risk of rapid-fire spread is lower today. My concern is that the wind will increase again later Friday into Saturday. Tomorrow is more of a breezy day with gusts around 25 to 35 mph on Saturday.

There is still no threat of significant rain to help ease the current drought. If anything, expect a few light showers on Monday and a better chance for steadier rain is still possible in the Thursday or Friday timeframe next week.

Have a nice and safe Thursday!

FIRE SPREAD RISK: Low with light wind, but the chance for quick fire ignition still exists due to our very dry conditions. Open flames should not be used. Burn bans are in effect.

DROUGHT MONITOR: We are still in a "moderate drought" across the entire lower Hudson Valley.

LOCAL FOLIAGE: Widespread peak to past peak color with any leaves still left.

TROPICS: The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Depression 19 in the western Caribbean Sea, but there are certainly no threats to the lower Hudson Valley.

FORECAST:

TODAY: Mainly cloudy. Chilly with only a light and varying northeast-southeast breeze at 5-10 mph. Highs around 47 degrees.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 35 degrees.

FRIDAY: Early clouds give way to more sun. It will become windier again with gusts in the 20-mph range developing throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Highs around 56 degrees. Lows near 38 degrees.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny, windy and a bit warmer with highs around 60 degrees. The fire spread risk will be higher due to the increase in wind gusts between 20 and 35 mph. Lows near 38 degrees.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny and breezy, but not as windy as Saturday with highs around 60 degrees. Lows near 42 degrees.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy with a few light rain showers possible. Highs around 63 degrees. Lows around 42 degrees.

TUESDAY: Sun and clouds. Highs near 59 degrees. Lows near 43 degrees.

WEDNESDAY: Mainly sunny to partly cloudy. Highs around 60 degrees. Lows around 42 degrees.