Rain, Heavy Winds Set To Sock Long Island Thursday

LONG ISLAND, NY — With much of the region set to be hit with a major storm in the coming days, on Long Island, residents can expect mainly heavy winds and rain.

According to Jay Engle, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, a coastal flood advisory is in effect for the daytime on Thursday for the southern half of Nassau, and all of Suffolk County.

A coastal flood statement has been issued for areas with minor flooding in the most vulnerable areas of northern Nassau, he said.

Long Islanders can expect rain and wind to develop Wednesday night after midnight, with heavy rain developing into Thursday morning; that heavy rain will taper into ordinary, lighter rain Thursday afternoon, Engle said. A total of and an inch-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches of rain are expected, he said.

"The rain is much-needed," Engle said, adding that the area has not seen rain in some time. The area will also experience breezy to windy conditions Thursday, with rain tapering off late Thursday night and light showers expected Friday.

Friday and Friday evening will remain "unsettled" before Long Island "dries out" over the weekend, with blustery winds still expected, he said.

Wind gusts across Long Island are expected to reach 30 to 35 miles per hour late Wednesday and Thursday, he said; winds will remain Friday afternoon and evening into Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to be "cloudy, raw and cool," during the next few days, with highs ranging from the mid 50s on Thursday and lows in the 30s through Saturday.

Areas in upstate New York at higher elevations are expecting colder temps and snow accumulation, Engel said.