NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New Yorkers hoping for a snowy Christmas Eve will instead be met by a thunderstorm, heavy rain and wind gusts topping 70 mph before colder air sweeps into the tri-state on a blustery Christmas.
Conditions will become increasingly cloudy and very windy during the day Thursday ahead of rain that arrives towards evening, according to AccuWeather. The high will be 59.
AccuWeather
The rocky weather hits Thursday night into early Friday, when wind gusts will kick up to 50, 60 or even 70 mph. The strongest gusts are possible along the coast. Expect power outages at the height of the storm between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. The low will be 55.
A High Wind Warning will be in effect for New York City and Long Island, as well as parts of New Jersey and Westchester, from 6 p.m. Thursday to 10 a.m. Friday.
AccuWeather
Rain will also be heavy at times late Thursday into Friday—enough to cause localized flooding—as a thunderstorm rolls through the area. Expect 1 to 2 inches of rain; some spots may see 3 inches. A Flood Watch will be in effect for much of the area, including New York City, Westchester and parts of New Jersey, from Thursday evening through Friday morning.
AccuWeather
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday directed state agencies to deploy additional flood and storm response assets as warm temperatures and a large storm system have begun impacting the state and may lead to flooding.
"Rain and warm temperatures have already moved into much of the state, and with so much snow still on the ground, there is a very real chance some areas may see flooding on Christmas morning," Cuomo said. "Everything is being done to prepare for any potential impacts and the state stands ready to support any of our local partners who may need assistance. In the meantime, I urge everyone to celebrate smart and use caution if traveling over the next 48 hours."
All 10 of the state's regional stockpiles and are prepared to deploy resources ranging from pumps, sandbags and generators to cots, blankets and pillows.
Other state agencies are also preparing boats and other watercraft for deployment in the event they are needed.
AccuWeather
Some rain lingers on Christmas, but it will otherwise be blustery and colder throughout the day Friday with clouds and breaks of sun. Highs will be in the 50s early on before temps drop into the 40s in the afternoon.
Saturday will be brisk and cold despite plenty of sunshine with a high of 32.
It remains chilly and mostly sunny on Sunday, when the high will tick up to 38.
AccuWeather
AccuWeather
