NEW YORK –  Just what New York and New Jersey need after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy: more high winds.
The National Weather Service predicted Sunday that a Nor'easter that could include gusts of up to 55 mph is likely to reach the area by Wednesday and could compound the havoc brought by last week's violent weather.
"Prepare for more outages," advised weather service meteorologist Joe Pollina. "Stay indoors. Stock up again."
He said the new storm wouldn't be nearly as strong as Sandy, but could pack winds "stronger than usual, even strong for a Nor'easter."
Meanwhile, cold temperatures streamed in and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that means "tens of thousands" of people whose homes were damaged by the superstorm will need other places to live.
"It's going to become increasingly clear" that homes without heat are uninhabitable, the governor said. He said residents who have been reluctant to leave their homes will be forced to and will need housing.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said 20,000 people in the city could need housing help.
Pollina said the strongest winds from the new storm would likely be seen on eastern Long Island. The highest gusts in New York City would probably be 40 mph. Meteorologist Adrienne Liptich said Atlantic City, N.J., could see gusts up to 45 mph.
Farther inland in New Jersey, in western Passaic and Bergen counties, Pollina said, the winds would be weaker.