Tie Down Those Decorations: Rain, Wind To End The Weekend On LI

LONG ISLAND, NY — A storm headed our way at the end of the weekend is forecast to bring heavy rain and gusty winds, though not snow.

That's because of the balmy weather we'll enjoy first. "Saturday will be a fine day for outdoor activities and travel around New York City, with a high well into the 50s," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "Temperatures will surge well above the historical average for early December."

Then a storm from the southwest will strengthen as it hits the East Coast, with a trailing cold front that will generate strong winds.

"Winds will be screaming a couple thousand feet up from the ground on Sunday and Sunday night along the Atlantic coast," Sosnowski said.

A narrow zone with wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph is most likely in eastern Long Island, he said. Strong southerly winds can lead to flooding along south-facing exposed beach communities as well as the locations along inland bays.

Here's the five-day forecast based on southwest Suffolk County:

• Thursday - Partly sunny with a chance of flurries this morning, then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and snow showers this afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
• Tonight - Mostly cloudy with a chance of sprinkles and flurries in the evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
• Friday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast in the afternoon.
• Friday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday - Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
• Saturday Night - Mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.
• Sunday - Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon. Breezy with highs in the upper 50s. Chance of rain 70 percent.
• Sunday Night - Showers, windy with lows in the upper 30s. Chance of rain 90 percent.
• Monday - Partly sunny. A chance of showers in the morning. Windy with highs around 50. Chance of rain 40 percent.
• Monday Night - Mostly clear. Lows around 30.