Heat wave breaks, could return Monday

KINGSTON, N.Y. » The heat wave that’s been gripping the Hudson Valley for almost a week appears to be taking a break, though high temperatures around 90 could be back early next week.

For now, the last of numerous consecutive heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service expired at 9 p.m. Thursday, and the low temperature tonight is expected to be in the 50s — the low 50s, in fact.

And the daytime highs over the weekend are forecast to not surpass 85.

Here’s the National Weather Service forecast for the area, as of early Thursday evening.

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday night: Clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90.

Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

The longer-range forecast has expected highs of 89 on both Wednesday and Thursday of next week.