A couple goes for a stroll in the morning at...

A couple goes for a stroll in the morning at Jones Beach on Sunday. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone

New Year's Eve is predicted to be a wet one, the National Weather Service said, with thunderstorms and showers likely starting in the late afternoon. 

The chance for rain Tuesday night is 100%, the weather service said. Steady showers are likely to begin in after 4 p.m. and fall until 1 a.m., with more precipitation expected overnight into early New Year's Day.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release Monday: “Those heading to Times Square should expect rain, while upstate residents may face significant snow and strong winds. New Yorkers should remain weather aware over the next couple of days and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions worsen.”

Expect gusting winds of up to 13 mph Tuesday night, increasing to 16 mph New Year's Day. Clearing skies will bring a reprieve Thursday, but breezy, gusting winds will continue as temperatures drop from the 50s into the low 40s — and overnight temperatures drop to subfreezing.

Meanwhile, the AAA predicts another strong week of travel in what could prove the busiest holiday travel season ever — with 119 million people expected to travel in the U.S. between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1.

And, the trade group Airlines for America said it expects 54 million passengers during the 19-day holiday travel season, which began Dec. 19 and concludes Jan. 6.

Those are total passengers expected on U.S. carriers and include destinations worldwide, unlike the AAA numbers, which are for domestic travel.

The Transportation Security Administration said it expects to screen 40 million passengers in a holiday season that runs through Jan. 2.

The AAA predicts that of the 119 million travelers this season, 107 million will travel by motor vehicle, while 7.85 million will travel by air. Another 4.5 million will travel by other means.

The total is up from 116 million during the holiday season in 2023 and 112 million in 2022.

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