High winds take toll on LI's trees, power lines

The heavy winds that swept through the region this past weekend brought colder than normal temperatures, as well as causing some travel delays and power outages.

The unseasonable temperatures - highs in the 50s rather than the average 68 degrees - should linger until Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather Service meteorologist John Murray said the gusting northwest winds that downed some trees and power lines Saturday let the cold air in. Islip recorded a high of 79 Saturday and 55 Sunday, he said, after the winds came through.

That's not near the record low territory, but a noticeable dip, he said.

The worst of the winds struck Saturday between 5 and 8 p.m., Murray said, with a high gust of 52 mph recorded in Farmingdale. The winds weakened throughout the day Sunday, he said, with a gust of 46 mph recorded in Islip.

The wind left about 33,000 Long Island Power Authority customers without power, said a spokeswoman, with some of the heaviest losses in Hempstead Town and Commack. The spokeswoman said about 1,800 customers still had no power at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and the authority was employing additional workers to restore service.

At about 9 p.m., LIPA's website indicated 1,138 customers were still without power.

The winds also caused delays in air travel Sunday afternoon. Flights to Kennedy Airport averaged two hours and 21 minutes late, while flights to Newark Liberty International Airport were an average one hour and 39 minutes late and flights to La Guardia Airport averaged 38 minutes behind, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's website.

Flights to Long Island MacArthur Airport faced minimal delays, the FAA website said.

Monday, expect isolated gusts of 30 to 35 mph, clear skies and highs in the upper 50s, said Murray of the weather service.

"By the time we get to Friday we will be closer to normal," he said, "mid to upper 60s."