Storm threatens u.S. Northeast with heavy rain, gusting winds

High wind and soaking rain will sweep coastal regions of the Northeast tomorrow, threatening to tie up air traffic and send holiday decorations flying.

Flood watches and advisories stretch from Massachusetts to Virginia in advance of a storm shaping up in the western Atlantic, the National Weather Service said. Snow may fall from northeastern Pennsylvania to Maine.

"Most of the strongest impacts from this storm will start around daybreak," said Tim Morrin, a weather service meteorologist in Upton, New York. For New York City, "we're not expecting any snow, it's a rain event."

As much as 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain may fall in New York starting about 6 a.m., possibly causing flooding in areas where there's poor drainage. Gusts of 45 to 55 miles (72 to 89 kilometers) per hour are forecast.

The winds may cause air traffic delays and knock down holiday decorations, Morrin said. The weather service is warning people to take extra care securing things that aren't normally outside, such as lights and holiday displays.

The wind advisory will end tomorrow at 6 p.m. in New York. The flood watch runs until 1 a.m. the day after.