Hurricane-force winds possible in Upstate New York

Wind gusts of up to 75 mph are predicted today for Upstate New York as a powerful storm system blows in from the west.

Forecasters are predicting widespread and prolonged power outages as the storm uproots trees, particularly shallow-rooted pines.

The winds could generate waves of 28 feet on Lake Ontario and cause flooding along the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The wind could also push huge blocks of ice on shore, potentially damaging buildings.

Anglers are warned to stay off the ice today.

Behind the high winds is much colder air, which could create heavy lake effect snow downwind of Lake Ontario. A rare blizzard warning is in effect for Tug Hill, where up to 10 inches of snow could be blown around by 70 mph winds.

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National Weather Service

Wind gusts up to 75 mph

The strongest wind gusts are expected this afternoon along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The National Weather Service says gusts could exceed 75 mph, enough to tear siding off buildings and damage buildings under construction.

A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

Winds up to 60 mph are expected overnight in the Finger Lakes and Central New York.

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National Weather Service

Winds could hamper efforts to restore power

While wind gusts could cause the most damage and power outages, the long period of sustained winds of 30 mph or more could hamper the ability of utility crews to make repairs.

This map shows wind speeds at 9 a.m. Monday, hours after the peak wind gusts are expected.

Schools could be closed Monday in areas that have power outages. Check our weather page for updates on delays and cancellations.

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National Weather Service

Wind alerts from Missouri to Maine

High wind alerts are in place across the Midwest and Northeast.

Wind gusts exceeding 60 mph have already been reported in Missouri and Indiana. A tree 3 feet in diameter blew down in St. Louis County, according to weather service storm reports.

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National Weather Service

Waves of nearly 30 feet possible on Lake Ontario

The wind from the west could generate waves of 28 feet on Lake Ontario, the weather service said. A storm warning has been issued, urging recreational boaters to stay off the water and alerting commercial vessels to "prepare for very strong winds and dangerous sea conditions."

Waves and winds this high can lead to heavy ice accumulation on ships, the weather service said in issuing a heavy freezing spray warning

"These conditions can be extremely hazardous to navigation," the warning said.

Jefferson County emergency officials are also warning anglers to stay off the ice on Lake Ontario today, as the brutal west winds could break apart the ice and leave them stranded. The winds could push water toward the eastern shore, raising and busting up the ice.

“There is major concern for people on the ice fishing,” the department said.

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National Weather Service

Sandwiched between systems

The usually high winds are being generated by the convergence of two low pressure systems that will pass to the west and east of Upstate New York. In between the two are what meteorologists call a "tight pressure gradient" that creates high winds.

As the eastern system moves through the Gulf of St. Lawrence and into the North Atlantic on Monday, wind speeds will fall from west to east across Upstate New York.

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National Weather Service

Blizzard conditions on Tug Hill

As cold air moves in with the northwest winds, intense lake effect snow will blow off Lake Ontario into Tug Hill and as far inland as Utica.

The weather service has issued a blizzard warning for Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties, where 6 to 10 inches could fall in the hardest-hit areas.

"Winds gusting as high as 70 mph will produce severe blowing and

drifting snow with whiteout conditions," the warning said.

Several inches of snow could fall in the Adirondacks and the western Mohawk Valley.

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National Weather Service

Cold returns on Tuesday

The winds will drag in very cold Canadian air, bringing winter back to Upstate New York.

Low temperatures Tuesday morning will be in the teens across much of Upstate New York, with single digits or even some below-zero readings in the Adirondacks.

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Restrictions imposed

Truckers driving empty tractor-trailers will be banned from the New York State Thruway, interstate highways and other state routes in much of Western and Central New York and the Finger Lakes region starting at 10 a.m. today in anticipation of 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts hitting 75 mph.

In Buffalo, where the highest winds are expected to hit this afternoon, the Buffalo Skyway will be closed to traffic starting at noon today. In addition, Erie Basin Marina, LaSalle Park, Broderick Park and Bird Island Pier are closed.

In this file photo, a tractor-trailer overturned on Route 190 in the town of Niagara as winds gusted to 81 mph.