High Wind Warning Blows Into NYC Over Christmas

NEW YORK CITY — Any dreams New Yorkers had of a white Christmas likely will be dashed by high winds screaming “Bah humbug.”

A high wind warning will take effect Thursday at 6 p.m. and last overnight until Christmas at 10 a.m., the National Weather Service warns.

Forecasters predict winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. The conditions, coupled with heavy rain, could make travel difficult, the city’s Department of Emergency Management warned.

“Anyone dreaming of a white Christmas will have to settle for a windy and soggy holiday,” said Deann Criswell, the city’s emergency management commissioner, in a statement. “However, the hazards are real and we want every New Yorker to prepare for the potentially damaging winds and heavy rain.”

The city is also under a flood watch until Friday at 11 a.m. Low-lying and poor draining areas could flood, city emergency management officials warn.

“Flash flooding cannot be ruled out during the periods of heaviest rain,” an emergency management release states. “A total of 2.0 to 2.5 inches of rain is in the forecast, with locally higher amounts possible.”

Here’s the not-so-jolly Christmas Eve and Christmas forecast:

Thursday Day
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Thursday Night
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 55. Windy, with a south wind 22 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Christmas Day
Rain, mainly before 10am, then a chance of showers after 1pm. Temperature falling to around 39 by 5pm. South wind 14 to 18 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 7pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. West wind 14 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 34. West wind around 14 mph.