NEW YORK — A nor’easter is heading toward the tri-state area Sunday night and is expected to worsen as Monday rolls around.

Heavy rains and strong winds will move into our area, bringing the potential for widespread coastal flooding and beach and dune erosion. Conditions during the storm will be the worst Monday and Monday night.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane force wind warnings for coastal waters below Long Island. Atlantic coastal waters and could see gusts of more than 80 miles per hour.

Coastal areas are also under a coastal flood watch as the storm moves in. The highest risk will be during the Monday evening high tide cycle, according to the National Weather Service. Vulnerable shore roads could be closed and properties along the coast should be prepared.

A high wind warning is in effect from 1 a.m. Monday until 1 a.m. Tuesday for New York City, Northern Westchester and Rockland counties, Long Island, eastern New Jersey and southern Connecticut, according to the NWS.

This means northeast winds between 30 and 40 mph with gusts between 60 and 70 mph. Damaging winds could potentially blow down trees and power lines and power outages are expected. Windy conditions are expected to begin just before daybreak Monday.

Up to four inches of rain is expected in the New York City area and traditional areas for flooding will most likely see flooding conditions.

Travel will be difficult for commuters, especially on high roadways and bridges.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel as the storm moves this way and as it escalates Monday.

Cuomo’s office is working with other state and city agencies to ensure extra personnel are available and that New Yorkers are prepared for the storm.

PSEG Long Island said they are prepared for the hazardous conditions. Personnel will be on hand in the case of power outages that could be caused by winds or flooding.

“We know how important having power is for our customers and we understand how frustrating it is to be in the dark,” said John O’Connell, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “That’s why we are proactively preparing for any potential outages by performing system checks on critical transmission & distribution equipment, ensuring the availability of critical materials, fuel and other supplies and getting our crews out and ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible.”