NYC Weather: 50 MPH Winds Coming Behind Possible Storms

NEW YORK — Hefty winds are set to batter New York City this weekend after thunderstorms possibly strike on Friday, the National Weather Service says. Gusts on Saturday could break 50 MPH in Central Park following a round of overnight and early-morning rain, the forecast shows.

The five boroughs will be under a high wind watch from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. The weather service warns of winds ranging from 25 to 35 MPH and potential gusts as strong as 60 MPH around the metropolitan area.

Strong winds can knock down trees, limbs and power lines and lead to scattered power outages, the weather service says.

The gales will follow showers and possible thunderstorms expected to drench the city starting Friday. Rain will loom throughout Friday and fall heaviest starting in the evening, with more than an inch to hit Central Park from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., the weather service's forecast says.

Showers will continue into Saturday morning; more than 1.8 inches of rain are expected to soak Central Park by early that afternoon, the forecast shows.

Friday will be unusually warm with a high temperature near 69 degrees before the mercury dips to around 53 on Saturday, the weather service says. Sunshine should break through Sunday with a high near 56, according to the forecast.

Here's a closer look at what to expect from the weather this weekend, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Friday
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Cloudy, with a high near 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Low around 56. South wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday
Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 53 by noon. Windy, with a west wind 8 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph becoming light west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 56. Light northwest wind.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45.

Monday
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.

Monday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 53.

(Lead image: A woman battles heavy rain and snow in Jersey City, New Jersey on March 21, 2018. Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)