Nor'easter Readies To Pound LI With Damaging Winds, Heavy Rains, Coastal Flooding Sunday Into Monday: NWS

LONG ISLAND, NY — A nor'easter heading up the East Coast is still on track to potentially pound Long Island Sunday and Monday with high winds, heavy rain, and beach erosion, the National Weather Service said.

According to Faye Morrone, meteorologist with the NWS office in Upton, the storm is expected to impact Long Island due to a coastal system moving up the East Coast that will stall south of the area and then "meander away," bringing increased chances of heavy rain, gusty winds, coastal flooding and beach erosion on Long Island, she said.

A high wind watch is in effect for Long Island from noon on Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, with sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, and gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, possible. The highest gusts will be felt along the Long Island coastlines and the North and South Forks, Morrone said.

Total rainfall of 1.5 to 3 inches is expected across Long Island, with a likely range of 2 to 3 inches, Morrone said. Because the weather has been dry, flooding is not expected to be a concern, except for some possible nuisance flooding or ponding in areas with poor drainage, Morrone said.

A coastal flood watch is in effect from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon on both the north and south shores, with beach erosion expected, Morrone said.

Rain is expected to start Saturday night, and winds are slated to pick up through the day Sunday — with the windiest period from Sunday afternoon until 1 p.m. Monday, Morrone said.

Storm and gale conditions are possible on coastal waters, the NWS said.