Forecasters: 'Slushy inch' of snow for LI?

Long Island could get buffeted by strong winds and rain Saturday -- and perhaps even "a slushy inch" of snow -- but relatively warm temperatures will mean Nassau and Suffolk counties will not get the heavy snowfall expected to the north of New York City, forecasters said Friday.

"There might be snow [on Long Island], quite a bit of rain, wind and coastal flooding," said Joey Picca, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Upton.

Gusts of as much as 60 mph are possible late Saturday, with the stronger winds affecting eastern Long Island, forecasters said. "There is a potential for downed trees and power lines," the weather service said later in issuing a high wind watch for Saturday evening through late Saturday night.

There is a gale watch in effect for offshore waters from Montauk Point to Sandy Hook, N.J., and Long Island Sound from Saturday morning through late Saturday. A watch means the timing and location are uncertain.

There's a potential for 1 to 2 inches of rain on Long Island, the weather service said.

The weather is expected to clear up Sunday.