STORM WATCH: Nice evening on Long Island ahead of a wet and cooler weekend
Any outdoor plans this evening will be fine, but you will need the rain gear most of this weekend.
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THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT
After a gorgeous Friday afternoon with highs in the 50s to low 60s, clouds will gradually increase this evening and tonight. It stays dry this evening with temperatures cooling down into the 40s. Have a light jacket with you.
Expect a mostly cloudy sky overnight with spotty light rain showers developing into Saturday morning. Overnight lows will be in the upper 30s to middle 40s.
WEEKEND RAIN
It is still looking like a wet weekend. Much of Saturday morning should be OK with just spotty light showers and drizzle from time to time. There is still the chance for a few hints of early morning sun, mostly for the East End. We do need the rain on Long Island, but unfortunately, it is already cancelling outdoor plans this weekend.
There is still a question as to when the rain comes to an end on Sunday. As of now, the rain will taper off into the afternoon on Sunday. Some weather computer guidance models, as of Friday evening, keep it wet through Sunday evening, especially across the East End of Long Island. News 12 Meteorologists will be tracking the rain for you all weekend.
DROUGHT UPDATE
We do still need the rain, but it is just poorly timed for weekend plans. Thursday's update to the drought monitor shows western Nassau County is still in a moderate drought. This area has expanded slightly on Long Island since last Thursday. The rest of Long Island is still seeing pre-drought, yet abnormally dry conditions. Looking ahead, the weather pattern looks like it will bring more rain chances to Long Island. Depending on how long that lasts and exactly how much rain falls, this could help the drier-than-normal conditions a bit over the next few weeks.
EXTENDED FORECAST
Tonight: Becoming cloudy with spotty rain showers developing after midnight. Low around 42. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy in the morning with spotty light showers and drizzle. Steadier rain develops into the afternoon and will continue through Saturday night. Breezy and much cooler. Highs only near 50 degrees. East-southeast wind 10 to 20 mph. Lows near 40 degrees.
Sunday: Cloudy with rain likely to start the day. Rain will slowly taper off from west to east through the afternoon. Stay with News 12 for updates because it is possible that the rain may linger longer in the day. Breezy and cool. High near 53 degrees. Northeast wind 10 to 20 mph. Lows near 42 degrees.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Lows near 44 degrees.
Tuesday: Increasing clouds. Highs around 58 degrees. Lows near 45 degrees.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Highs around 59 degrees. Lows near 47 degrees.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with periods of rain likely. Highs around 62 degrees. Lows near 46 degrees.
