Honestly, if you’re waking up in Slate Hill today, January 16, 2026, the first thing you’re going to notice isn't the snow. It’s the bite.
The air currently feels like 3°F. Even though the thermometer technically reads 16°F, that west wind at 10 mph is doing no favors for anyone trying to walk the dog or clear the driveway. It’s that classic Orange County winter—sharp, dry, and just a little bit relentless.
Most people look at a forecast and see "partly cloudy" and think they’re in the clear. But in this part of the Hudson Valley, the ridge lines around the Wawayanda area act like a funnel for those western gusts.
The Slate Hill NY Weather Forecast Breakdown
Right now, we are sitting under a partly cloudy night sky with a tiny 4% chance of snow. Basically, it’s dry for the moment. Humidity is hovering at 50%, which is actually quite low for us, meaning that "dry cold" everyone talks about is in full effect.
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Here is what the rest of your Friday looks like:
- Today (Friday, Jan 16): We’re looking at a high of 30°F. It’ll stay mostly cloudy during the daylight hours with a light 10% chance of a stray flake.
- The Wind: It’s shifting slightly, coming from the west at about 14 mph. It’s going to feel significantly colder than that 30-degree high.
- Tonight’s Shift: This is where it gets interesting. The chance of snow jumps to 40% after dark. The low will bottom out right back at 16°F.
It’s not exactly a blizzard, but that 40% chance of nighttime snow is enough to make the backroads near Minisink Valley High School a bit greasy by tomorrow morning.
Why Slate Hill Hits Different
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that Slate Hill weather isn't the same as Newburgh or even Middletown. We sit on that slate ridge—hence the name—and the elevation change from the valley floor can mean the difference between a cold rain and a dusting of powder.
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Historically, January is our "realty check" month. According to data from the MERRA-2 project and historical local records, we usually average highs of 33°F and lows around 18°F. Today is actually trending a few degrees colder than the 11-year average.
The UV index is sitting at a 1, so don't worry about the sun. In fact, we’re only seeing about 9 hours and 22 minutes of daylight right now. It’s the heart of the "grey season."
Staying Ahead of the Ice
Since we are looking at cloudy skies turning into snow by tonight, the smart move is to prep for a slick Saturday morning.
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- Check your tires now. That 14 mph wind will flash-freeze any melt from earlier in the week.
- Hydrate your skin. With humidity at 41% during the day, the air is literal sandpaper.
- Watch the West. Our weather almost always rolls in over the hills from the west; if the sky looks heavy over toward Port Jervis, you've got about twenty minutes before it hits the hamlet.
The current barometric pressure and the "feels like" temp of 3°F suggest that the Arctic air mass is firmly entrenched. We aren't seeing a "January Thaw" just yet. Instead, expect a steady, cold Friday that transitions into a white dusting overnight.
Next Steps for Residents:
Ensure your outdoor pets have insulated shelter before the sun goes down, as the 3°F wind chill will persist through the evening. If you are commuting via Route 6 or Route 284 tonight, keep an eye on the 40% snow probability starting after 6:00 PM, which may reduce visibility during the tail end of the rush hour.