Cooler, clear skies forecast

After a week of gray skies and heavy rain, Long Islanders can expect calmer and cooler weather in the days ahead, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Sunday.

Starting Monday, morning temperatures will be in the lower to mid 50s, gradually warming to the upper 70s during the day, said David Stark, meteorologist with the weather service office in Upton.

"A high-pressure system will bring autumn-like conditions -- calm, dry and cooler air," Stark said.

He said the chance of rain this week is "very low," estimated at less than 10 percent.

Last week, 2.51 inches of rain fell over Long Island, the bulk of that coming Tuesday, Stark said. The total is about an inch more when compared with the same period last year, when 0.95 of an inch of rain was collected, Stark said

This week's temperatures are on par with the average normal high of 76 degrees recorded this time last year, Stark said.

"We're going to be close to our normal value," Stark said.