Sun-drenched day beats previous high-temp record

Temperatures soared into the 80s across Nassau and Suffolk during a glorious afternoon Wednesday, a record-breaking day of warmth on Long Island.

The temperature hit 84 degrees in Islip, a new record for April 7, according to the National Weather Service. In Melville, it was 85, while the mercury hit 90 in Central Park.

A little more than a week ago, Islanders were suffering the aftereffects of a miserable winter and a month filled with record-breaking rainfall, massive power outages, downed trees and shorelines devastated by erosion.

The new record temperature was recorded at Long Island-MacArthur Airport, where the old record of 81 degrees was recorded in 1991.

The temperature at Kennedy Airport tied the record of 81 degrees, also set there in 1991.

The weather service warned that gusty southwest winds along with a very warm dry air mass "will result in conditions favorable for the spread of brush fires" in Nassau and Suffolk. The service issued a warning in effect until 6 p.m.

Long Islanders should keep vehicles out of grassy areas and properly dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the upper 50s Wednesday night and return to the 70s on Thursday.

A chance of showers is possible Thursday night, with thunderstorms possible after 10 p.m.

Rain is likely on Friday, according to the weather service, before the sun returns Saturday - though rain is again possible on Sunday.

The coldest April 7 on record was 24 degrees in Islip in 2007 and 20 degrees at Kennedy in 1982.

The record high for the metro area is 89 degrees, recorded in Central Park in 1929.