A big chill and possible nor'easter this week

A possible nor'easter will set the stage for a bright, cold Thanksgiving Day this week, according to the National Weather Service.

But before we can get to Turkey Day, Long Islanders will have to bundle up. Highs on Sunday will barely reach above freezing, with strong northwest winds that will add to the chill, according to Joe Pollina, meteorologist with the service's Upton bureau.

Winds on Sunday are expected to be from 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph, Pollina said. The wind and dry conditions have led the National Weather Service to issue a red flag advisory that will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The advisory means conditions are ideal for wildfires, with high winds and low relative humidity, and indeed Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services reported several small brush fires in the area on Sunday morning.

Lows on Sunday will be in the teens, with mostly clear skies. Winds will diminish later to 10 to 20 mph, with gusts to 30 mph, Pollina said.

Clouds will increase on Monday, with highs in the low to mid-30s. It will be windy, but much less than the previous day, with a northwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday night will be mostly cloudy with lows in the upper 20s to low 30s.

A nor'easter is forecast to hit the area beginning on Tuesday and extending into Wednesday, although its strength and path is still in question, Pollina said.

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"We just know this storm looks like it's going to impact the area," he said.

The chance of rain is 40 percent during the day on Tuesday, with highs in the mid- to upper 40s. Tuesday night, the chance of rain will reach 70 percent, with lows in the upper 30s to around 40.

Rain is likely on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving and the busiest travel day of the year -- mostly before noon, Pollina said. Skies will be cloudy, and highs will be in the upper 40s to around 50.

Wednesday night brings a chance of rain and snow showers. Skies will be cloudy, with a low in the upper 20s to low 30s.

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The weather should clear by Thanksgiving, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 30s. Lows will be in the low 20s.

And on Black Friday, mostly sunny skies will continue, with highs in the mid- to upper 30s. Lows on Friday will be in the low 20s, with partly cloudy skies.