LI Weather: Here's What Impacts To Expect From Superstorm Debby

LONG ISLAND, NY — As the remnants of Superstorm Debby head north this weekend, Long Islanders can expect less of an impact than initially expected, with the system taking a slightly western turn.

According to Ross Dickman, meteorolgist with the National Weather Service Office in Upton: "It looks like things have shifted a bit to the west, and that's good news for us locally."

Long Island, which was hit with heavy precipitation this week, can still expect to see showers and thunderstorms continue into the early part of the weekend. After that, the system will pass to the north and the area will "clear out" for the weekend, he said.

Long Islanders can expect the chance of rain and thunderstorms Thursday and Thursday night. During the day on Friday, "there will be a bit of a break," but heading into Friday night, showers and thunderstorms are expected to redevelop to the west, traversing through eastern Pennsylvania, he said.

"As the system starts to exit, we can expect showers and thunderstorm activity to traverse to the east, to New York City and Long Island, Friday night," Dickman said. That could mean some torrential rain and gusty winds to some areas across Long Island, with about 1 to 2 inches of rain expected and isolated higher amounts possible, he said.

The precipitation should dissipate by Saturday morning; conditions are expected to improve thought Saturday, with Sunday "a good day," Dickman saiad.

Temperatures on Long Island are slated to reach a high of 72 degrees Thursday; an easterly flow off the water will keep things cooler, Dickman said. On Friday, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 82 degrees, with a low of 73 degrees Friday night. Temps for the weekend are expected to hover in the 80s, Dickman said.