Long Island forecast: High winds expected through Tuesday with wind chills in the teens

Long Island will continue to see dry yet windy conditions Tuesday after a frontal system brought widespread gusts of more than 50 mph Monday night, the National Weather Service said.

A wind advisory and a gale warning for Long Island Sound remain in effect for the entire tristate area until 6 p.m. Tuesday, while gale warnings for area ocean waters last until 1 a.m. Wednesday. Some damage from the high winds is possible, the NWS said.

The MTA announced Monday afternoon that motorists on the Throgs Neck and Bronx-Whitestone bridges are advised to drive at reduced speeds until further notice due to the strong gusts.

"This is just good old fashioned wind with low pressure systems," meteorologist Dave Radell said. "This is the time of year for that." 

All empty tractor trailers and tandem trailers are prohibited on all MTA bridges and tunnels due to high winds as of early Tuesday.

Radell said the service received several reports of downed trees in the tristate area Monday night when gusts reached up to 50 mph, which was "definitely a windy couple hours."

But as of 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, gusts have decreased to the upper 30s and 40s.

"These are northwest winds," Radell said. "As we go through the day today into the afternoon, these winds should finally start to die down a little bit."

As of 8 a.m., PSEG Long Island's Outage Map reported 33 outages scattered across the area. Residents were encouraged to secure outdoor items, particularly holiday decorations that strong winds could blow away, if they have not done so already. 

LaGuardia reported 19 delays and cancellations Tuesday morning while John F. Kennedy International Airport reported 63 delays and 14 cancellations, according to website FlightAware. 

Newark Liberty International Airport reported 39 delays and six cancellations. 

While highs should reach the low 30s Tuesday, wind chill values will make temperatures feel like they are between 10 and 20 degrees. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low 20s, but wind chill values will remain between 10 and 20, forecasters said.

Winds remain calm on Wednesday, but Long Island should expect cold conditions for the last day of 2025, with highs in the mid 30s and wind chill values between 15 and 20.

Those who will celebrate the new year at outside festivities should be dry for most of the night but should bundle up, Radell said.

"A little below normal for this time of the year, but nothing too crazy," Radell said. "We're not really expecting much in the way of impactful weather here in the next couple of days."

A slight chance of snow is possible for Long Island — with a higher chance on the East End — in the first hours of the new year, with temperatures in the lower 20s.

"We will get into 2026, kind of as we're seeing it now," Radell said. 

Check back for updates on this developing story.