Cooler temperatures, a freeze warning, and rain predicted for Long Island this week, forecasters say

Long Islanders will see a return to seasonal fall weather but still above-normal temperatures this week with a freeze warning in effect for eastern Suffolk County early Monday morning and a strong dose of rain predicted for Tuesday, forecasters said.

After a week in which several days saw temperatures on Long Island either come close or surpass the 70-degree mark, Sunday's high will continue a cooling trend with a high of 56. The normal high for this time of year is 55 degrees at Islip, according to Tim Morrin, a spokesman for the National Weather Service at Upton.

"It'll be sunny and it looks like a day that'll be pretty much spot-on where it should be," Morrin said. "On Sunday night it'll be chilly. East of the William Floyd Parkway we're anticipating the possibility of temperatures going below freezing, which affects agricultural concerns and interests.

The temperature could dip to 31 degrees in the Hamptons and the North Fork and the frigid weather would affect sensitive plants that are particularly vulnerable to the cold, he said.

"There is a freeze watch in effect from 1 to 8 a.m. Monday due to the potential for below freezing temperatures in and around the pine barrens in Suffolk County," said News 12 Long Island meteorologist Matt Hammer. "These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation."

According to gardeningknowhow.com, the most popular way to guard against frost on short notice is to use some type of covering. Most anything will work, but old blankets, sheets, and even burlap sacks are best. When covering plants, drape them loosely and secure with stakes, rocks, or bricks.

The lighter covers can simply be placed directly over the plants, but heavier covers may require some type of support, such as wire, to prevent the plants from becoming crushed under the weight.

Covering tender garden plants in the evening will help retain heat and protect them from freezing. However, it is important that the covers be removed once the sun comes out the following morning; otherwise, the plants may fall victim to suffocation.

"Monday is another sunny day with a high of 58," Morrin said. "It's not as cool and will be a little bit above normal during the day. Monday night we introduce a 20-percent chance of rain after 1 a.m." Temperatures will dip to 44.

Morrin said lots of rain arrives on Tuesday and there will be a repeat of the wet conditions Thursday.

"It'll be a rainy day Tuesday with rain beginning by morning and lasting throughout the day and likely continuing at night," Morrin said. "We're talking a half to three-quarters of an inch that should end by midnight." Highs will reach 59 and the low will be 49.

Some sun returns Wednesday when it will be partly sunny with a high near 60.

"It'll be another relatively mild day," Morrin said. "The low at night will be 45 and the cloud cover will be a precursor of showers on Thursday."

The rain sticks around all day Thursday and continues until about midnight with less than a half inch predicted. The high will be 62 and the low at night will be 45.

Mostly sunny skies are back on Friday when 59 will be the high and 40 the low.

"This week when you look at the numbers we're predominantly above normal again but the real difference is the rain," Morrin said. "But we've had a deficit of rain so the rain we're forecasting will help out with that deficit. "