STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island residents should “batten down the hatches” and prepare for strong winds and rain Wednesday night, as a storm system moves through the region.
The storm, which Gov. Kathy Hochul noted could severely impact upstate areas including the Finger Lakes, southern tier, Central New York and Mohawk Valley regions, will also affect Staten Island, though to a lesser degree.
“The biggest component that I’m seeing will be the wind,” according to National Weather Service meteorologist Richard Bann with the Weather Prediction Center.
Staten Island can expect west winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts reaching 50 to 55 mph Wednesday night, Bann said. These strong gusts could potentially bring down tree limbs.
Rain is also in the forecast, with chances increasing throughout Wednesday evening. Overnight lows will remain in the 40s, eliminating any concern about snow for the borough.
The system will begin to clear on Thursday, bringing sunny skies with highs in the 50s. However, wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph may continue into the morning before gradually diminishing.
While the weather system won’t qualify as a winter storm for Staten Island, mariners should be aware that waters around the area could see wind gusts up to 50 knots (roughly 57 mph) and seas up to seven feet.
“We’re not really looking at the kind of a storm which would be a winter storm,” Bann noted. “It would just be a combination of wind and some rain.”
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