NYC Weather: Heavy Snow And Hazardous Gales Predicted

NEW YORK CITY — Strong gales and and heavy snow are headed for New York City, forecasters said Thursday.

A hazardous weather alert has been issued for 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, when gusty winds could blow at speeds of up to 50 mph, the National Weather Service said.

City officials warned New Yorkers to be cautious moving around the city Thursday as forecasters warned falling tree branches and power outages could result.

While Friday is predicted to be sunny, Saturday will bring a blanket of snow with up to two inches accumulating mainly after 1 p.m., said forecasters.

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Saturday night is expected to be rainy but the rest of the long weekend looks sunny and clear with temperatures between 22 and 40 degrees, forecasters said.

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Here's what NWS forecasters predict the long weekend will look like:

Thursday
A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Windy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 24. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 32. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph.

Friday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 23. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 6 to 11 mph.

Saturday
Snow, mainly after 1pm. High near 38. Light and variable wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Rain, mainly before 3am. Temperature rising to around 42 by 1am. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

M.L.King Day
Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.