Nor'easter Brings Soaking Rain, Wind To Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — A nor'easter socking the region has brought soaking rains and winds to Long Island —but Mother Nature may still salvage Memorial Day weekend, the National Weather Service said.

According to James Tomasini, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, the nor'easter was sparked by a coastal low spinning to the south, bringing east and northeast winds to Long Island. The nor'easter is expected to travel up the New England coastline Thursday, bringing a deluge of rain.

So far on Long Island Thursday morning, just over an inch of rain was reported; with 1/2 inch and up to another inch expected through Thursday night. Looking ahead, there's a chance of lingering clouds and scattered showers Friday and Saturday. But, Tomasini added: "Friday and Saturday are not going to be a washout, by any means."

Sunday and Monday are expected to bring dry conditions to Long Island, with sunshine likely, although clouds are expected to increase Monday afternoon and into the evening hours, Tomasini said.

Winds are slated to ramp up Thursday from late morning through the afternoon on Long Island, bring up to 40 mile per hour gusts at the coast and 30 to 35 mph winds in the inland areas. Those winds are expected to taper off Thursday night, with wind gusts of about 20 miles per hour forecast for Saturday.

Temperatures Thursday are expected to reach the low to mid-50s, followed by a warming trend through Monday, Tomasini said. Friday's temps are expected to reach highs in the low 60s; Saturday's temperatures are slated to reach the upper 60s, which will then climb to the upper 60s on Sunday and spike to the lower 70s on Monday, Tomasini said.