WEATHER: Brutal cold expected for New Year's Eve as 40-50 mph wind gusts slam NYC

Workers prepare Monday for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square. Brutal cold is expected for the 2026 countdown
Workers prepare Monday for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square. Brutal cold is expected for the 2026 countdown. Photo credit Anthony Behar/SipaUSA

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Brutally cold wind gusts of up to 50 mph were hammering the NYC area on Tuesday, pushing wind chills into the teens—a period of brutal cold that’s set to stick around through New Year’s Eve.

The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for the entire Tri-State until 6 p.m. Tuesday, warning the winds could be strong enough to “blow around unsecured objects,” topple tree limbs and cause power outages.

While the high will get to 32 degrees in the city on Tuesday, the nasty winds will keep RealFeels down in the teens, according to AccuWeather. It will be dangerously frigid Tuesday night, with a low of 26 and RealFeels around 10.

AccuWeather
Photo credit AccuWeather

The cold will continue for New Year’s Eve on Tuesday, when the high will be 34. Temps will be around 30 for the ball drop at midnight in Times Square.

It’s more of the same on Thursday and Friday: Highs will only reach the upper 20s or low 30s to end the work week.

AccuWeather
Photo credit AccuWeather

It will be dry to start the New Year, though some flurries may pop up Wednesday and Thursday, according to AccuWeather.

The powerful winds and brutal cold come as a powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Upstate New York on Tuesday.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Anthony Behar/SipaUSA