Rain, strong winds coming Thursday and Friday

A nor'easter forming in the mid-Atlantic is expected to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and high winds to Long Island Thursday night and Friday, forecasters at the National Weather Service said.

Rain is expected to begin with showers after 1 p.m., and thunderstorms are expected between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Friday, forecasters said. Winds will gust as high as 50 mph in some areas, with gusts in most places hitting at least 30 mph.

"Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall," the weather service said.

Forecasters said 1 to 2 inches of rain are possible.

Showers will continue into Friday, the weather service said. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 50s.