Ever tried planning a hike up at Minnewaska only to have a "sunny" day turn into a total washout by the time you hit the trailhead? Honestly, if you've spent any time in the Hudson Valley, you know that the new paltz hourly weather is less of a schedule and more of a suggestion. It’s kinda wild how the Shawangunk Ridge acts like a giant stone wall, catching clouds and forcing them to dump rain on one side while the other stays bone dry.
Right now, New Paltz is sitting at 39°F with a light rain falling. The wind is barely a whisper, coming out of the southwest at 3 mph, but don't let that calm vibe fool you. Humidity is thick at 83%, and with a 46% chance of precipitation currently, that damp feeling isn't going anywhere fast.
The Gunks Factor and Your Hourly Outlook
When you're looking at the new paltz hourly weather, you have to account for the "microclimate" effect. Basically, the village sits in a low spot near the Wallkill River, but the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska are hundreds of feet higher. That elevation gap means the hourly forecast for downtown New Paltz might say 42°F, while the Labyrinth rock scramble is hovering near freezing with ice forming on the rungs.
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Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we’re looking at a high of 42°F. It’s one of those classic "in-between" days where the air feels heavy. Light rain is the main story for the afternoon, but as we roll into tonight, things get messy. The temperature is expected to drop to 32°F, and that's when the "rain and snow" mix starts.
If you’re driving Route 299 toward the mountain, watch out. The transition from 39°F rain to 32°F slush happens fast. Southwest winds will pick up slightly to about 7 mph, which isn't much, but enough to make that 32°F feel like a bite.
What the Next Few Hours Look Like
Honestly, the window for getting anything done outside is closing. Here is the breakdown for the rest of today:
- Late Afternoon: Temperatures will hover around 41°F. The chance of rain stays steady at 47%. It’s gloomy, basically.
- Sunset (around 4:50 PM): The light starts to fail early because of 100% cloud cover.
- Evening/Overnight: This is when the snow chance creeps in. We’re looking at a 35% chance of snow as the temp hits that freezing 32°F mark.
Why Forecasts Struggle with New Paltz
It's not just the mountain. The Hudson Valley is a corridor for weather moving up from the Gulf and down from Canada. Experts often point out that topography plays a massive role here. Cold air masses get trapped in the valley, leading to "cold air damming." You might see the hourly forecast predicting a warmup that never actually arrives because the heavy, cold air is stuck against the ridges.
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For hikers and climbers, this is a safety issue. The AccuWeather "RealFeel" often tells a better story than the raw numbers. Even if it’s 40°F, if you're standing on a windy ledge at Millbrook Mountain, it's going to feel like 30°F.
Gear for the Current Conditions
If you're heading out right now, you've gotta be smart.
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- Waterproof everything. With 83% humidity and active rain, "water-resistant" won't cut it. You'll be soaked in twenty minutes.
- Traction is key. Since we're hitting 32°F tonight, any rain on the trails will turn to a sheet of ice by tomorrow morning. If you're hitting the Ice Caves Trail at Minnewaska, microspikes are mandatory, not optional.
- Layering. Start with a moisture-wicking base. Avoid cotton like the plague; once it gets wet from the rain or sweat, it stays cold.
Actionable Tips for Your Day
Since the new paltz hourly weather shows rain turning to a wintry mix tonight, your best bet is to wrap up outdoor errands before 6 PM. The roads near the ridge can get slick quickly when that 32°F line hits.
If you're planning for tomorrow, expect a messy commute. That overnight snow and rain mix means black ice on the bridge over the Wallkill and potentially slushy conditions on the climb up toward Gardiner. Check the local traffic cams near Main Street before you head out, and give yourself an extra ten minutes. The dampness today is just a precursor to a much colder, icier night ahead.