High winds predicted for Suffolk

Damaging, gusting winds as high as 60 mph and thunderstorms are possible Thursday night in Suffolk County, and the National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Suffolk until Friday morning - warning "there is the potential for a hazardous wind event."

The weather service also warned that strong winds will create dangerous surf in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk, with 2- to 4-foot ocean swells and "life-threatening" rip currents at ocean beaches. The strongest rip currents are expected in the afternoon.

But while ocean conditions are expected to affect the South Shore, the wind will affect only Suffolk.

Forecasters said south winds of 25-30 mph are expected, with gusts of between 45-50 mph likely. Damaging wind gusts of up to 60 mph will be possible.

There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing after 4 p.m., with increasing clouds later in the day, according to the weather service.

Showers and thunderstorms are also likely after 8 p.m., when storms could produce significant winds - and the chance of rain is 80 percent.

Showers are possible Friday, as are cloudy skies.

Forecasters are calling for partly sunny skies Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures in the low to mid-70s.