It was like that just north of LaGuardia up at White Plains, NY, one of the busiest class D airports in the US. While waiting ninth in line I got to watch quite a few impressive landings (and some squirrelly takeoffs, including my own) in winds gusting to 40 kts.
The tower controller was also locking and loading each of us there, too - Just as an aircraft touched down, we all were getting "aircraft XXX, position and hold runway 34, regional jet on a three mile final, be READY to go."
I'll tell you what: Some winds are strong but smooth. Other winds are strong and mean (wind shear, strong downdrafts, moderate to severe turbulence). In my opinion these winds in the Northeast US today were the latter.
(looking forward to the dedicated White Plains feed coming soon.)