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New Yorkers, who have been enjoying a brief respite from the bitter cold of recent days, are being warned to batten down the hatches as weather forecasts predict strong winds and fierce thunderstorms across the city for Wednesday.

The gusts could exceed 65 miles an hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Joe Pollina, a Weather Service meteorologist based on Long Island, said that the high winds were a result of the convergence of a cold front approaching the region tomorrow and a low-pressure system that will be passing to the north of the city.

“As the low-pressure system strengthens, the winds pick up,” Mr. Pollina said.

While he cautioned that the forecast could change, he said that any thunderstorms could also add to the strength of the winds.

The city’s Department of Buildings, which issues construction warnings whenever high winds are forecast, sent one out on Tuesday afternoon, ordered developers to safeguard construction sites and directed homeowners to secure their patio furniture and potted plants.