Forecast: High Winds, Rain in Area Tonight

Wind gusts could reach 55 mph around Long Island Sound tonight, causing tree limbs to take down power lines, according to the National Weather Service.

The high winds could make driving more difficult, forecasters say, and the weather service suggests securing loose items outdoors or bringing them inside.

Early this morning, the weather service issued a "Wind Advisory" for the Connecticut coast, Long Island and parts of New York City from 6 p.m. today to 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Wind advisories are issued "when sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph or gusts of 46 to 57 mph" are predicted, according to the weather service. The specific National Weather Service forecast for Darien, however, calls for sustained southeast wind of 15 to 24 mph tonight, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

The wind advisory applies generally to the eastern New York metropolitan area, parts of which are expected to be hit harder.

"Small tree limbs may be downed, causing isolated power outages," according to the advisory, which was accompanied by "Hazardous Weather Outlook."

"Residents are urged to secure or bring indoors any loose outdoor objects," the Weather Advisory stated. "Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution."

The specific Greenwich forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain today, possibly amounting to a quarter to a half an inch of precipitation. For tonight, forecasters say there's a 100 percent chance of rain, with another quarter- to a half-inch possibly falling. High temperatures near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 p.m., then a chance of rain. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 40. Southeast wind 11 to 15 mph becoming west. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 13 mph increasing to between 19 and 22 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22. West wind between 13 and 18 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39. West wind around 11 mph.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

New Year's Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

For American Red Cross tips on preparing for and dealing with power outages (although most of us are becoming experts on that subject, now), see the document attached to this article.