St. Patrick's Day weather looking better, but cold, possible snow coming later in week, forecasters say

Things are looking up for St. Patrick's Day celebrants, as the chance of rain Tuesday in the city for mainly before 9 a.m. has decreased to 30 percent, forecasters say, with the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade kicking off at 11 a.m.

Long Island is looking at a 50 percent chance of rain through around noon, when chances start decreasing, said Jay Engle, National Weather Service meteorologist based in Upton.

Highs in the low 50s are expected Tuesday, he said, "before cold air comes in big time."

"Wake-up wind chills on Wednesday morning could be 10 to 15 degrees," he said, with highs for the day in the upper 30s to around 40. Thursday's highs are expected for "either side of 40."

As for Friday, the first day of spring, computer models are still indicating varying tracks for a quick moving coastal low.

Plus, "temperatures will be marginal," he said, so we could see snow or snow mixed with rain. As of Monday afternoon's analysis of the most recent data, the area could see snow mixing with rain Friday and possibly changing to all rain, he said, with rain and snow Friday night.

It's too early, he said, to get into details, such as possible amounts.

With Gary Dymski