New York greets the morning with roaring wind rattling windows and tossing debris.
Flags snap sharply, trash bins tip, and trees sway across the Capital Region. This Weather matters now because strong winds are already impacting travel during a busy holiday period.
According to the National Weather Service in Albany, a Wind Advisory remains in effect until noon. Northwest winds increase to 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph. The advisory covers Albany, the Mohawk Valley, eastern Catskills, and western Massachusetts.
These winds create hazardous travel conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles. Drivers on I-87, I-90, and Route 7 may experience sudden crosswinds. Extra caution is advised on bridges and open stretches of roadway.
Loose outdoor objects may be blown around, and isolated power outages are possible. Tree limbs could come down where soils remain soft. Residents are urged to secure holiday decorations and trash containers.
Temperatures remain cold, holding in the upper 30s today. While precipitation stays limited, the wind makes it feel colder. Wind chills dip into the 20s at times, reinforcing a Winter feel despite dry skies.
Winds gradually ease this afternoon, but colder air settles in tonight. Christmas Day brings mostly cloudy skies with highs near 39 degrees and a slight chance of rain or snow mixing early. Winds become lighter, improving travel conditions.
Looking ahead, colder temperatures dominate the days after Christmas. Snow chances return Friday night into Saturday, just as post-Christmas travel peaks on Saturday, December 27. Any leftover moisture could refreeze after dark, raising black ice concerns.
Nationally, Winter storms continue across the Northeast, while dangerous flooding impacts California. Locally, this wind event serves as a reminder that Winter hazards arrive in different forms.
Five-Day Outlook – Albany, NY
• Today: Windy, high near 37°
• Christmas Day: Mostly cloudy, high near 39°
• Thursday: Mostly clear, low near 11°
• Friday: Slight chance of snow, high near 21°
• Saturday: Chance of snow, high near 29°
