Copyright Newsweek
More than 46 million Americans are facing strong winds on Friday, with wind advisories in place across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. "Our concerns are [the winds] are going to blow around unsecured objects, including any loose Halloween decorations," National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist John Murray told Newsweek. "Tree limbs could be blown down and we might have a few power outages." Why It Matters The NWS has issued broad wind advisories affecting at least 46 million Americans across the Northeast. These alerts come as a powerful fall storm system tracks across the United States, creating potentially hazardous conditions in densely populated areas as well as critical travel corridors. The timing of the storm—with Halloween activities scheduled and millions expected outdoors—further underscores the advisories' significance. Potential impacts include blowing debris, fallen tree branches and twigs, and localized power outages, which may disrupt daily life and holiday plans for millions. What To Know According to multiple urgent weather messages released on Friday by regional NWS offices, strong winds will impact states from Pennsylvania and New York northward into New England and as far west as Washington State. Wind advisories are in effect for numerous counties and cities spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Most affected areas are forecast to see sustained west winds of 15 to 30 mph. Gusts could peak between 40 and 55 mph in many advisories, with some locations along the coast and elevated terrain reaching the highest values. Advisory times generally range from the morning hours of October 31 through late evening or early morning of November 1. For example, much of Eastern New York and New England are under advisories from late morning Friday until as late as 8 a.m. Saturday. Similar spans are seen in advisories across Pennsylvania and coastal New Jersey. Potential effects outlined by the NWS include the risk of unsecured objects being blown around and a few power outages. In several messages, officials cautioned that high-profile vehicles could face difficulty on roadways, and travel may be hazardous. The advisories repeatedly urge residents to secure outdoor items, including seasonal holiday decorations, and to use extra caution when driving, particularly for high-profile and commercial vehicles. Strong winds also are expected to lash the West Coast as an atmospheric river (a corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere, sometimes called a tropical plume) arrives on Friday. What People Are Saying NWS in a post on X: "A strong storm system will produce widespread heavy rains from eastern and northern New York State into New England into early Friday, followed by gusty winds in the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast on Friday." NWS in New York City posted on X: "Gusty winds will blow around Halloween decorations and other unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result." NWS office in State College, Pennsylvania in a wind advisory: "Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects, especially holiday decorations." What Happens Next The wind advisories are set to expire in most locations late Friday evening or early Saturday. As the powerful frontal system progresses eastward, wind speeds are expected to gradually subside. However, residual impacts may persist, including isolated power outages and cleanup from downed limbs or debris.
