WEATHER ALERT: High Wind Warning Issued for Long Island

Story by Joe Dowd

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for Long Island in effect beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday and overnight into 6 a.m. Thursday.

The federal agency warns that dangerous high winds and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible as night falls.

The wind could continue through the overnight hours into dawn. Heavy rain is also forecast in connection with the storm system barreling toward the Northeast from the west Wednesday afternoon, the NWS said.

The latest forecast is a blow to Long Island, a region still recovering from the effects of Superstorm Sandy. The evening's strong winds in combination with heavy rain could bring down whole trees, large limbs and power lines.

The weather service recommends securing outdoor objects. The conditions could pose a hazard to anyone driving or walking outside Wednesday night and to houses and other structures near larger trees.

Heavy rain is possible along with fog. Thunderstorms are also possible after midnight, the NWS said. Driving conditions will also be difficult, especially in taller vehicles and on elevated roadways and bridges, the weather service said.

The NWS issues high wind warnings when sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more are forecast.