Early storms cause power outages on Long Island

A fast-moving band of thunderstorms rolled across Long Island early Wednesday, leaving behind slickened, sometimes flooded, roads and scattered power outages in Nassau and Suffolk. But though the rains are expected to be gone by the morning commute forecasters at the National Weather Service have issued a wind advisory for Nassau and Suffolk and gale warnings for offshore boaters that will remain in effect until Thursday.

Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm warning in effect overnight was canceled before 6 a.m. The strong, gusting winds that accompanied the heaviest of rains helped knock out power to more than 1,000 Long Island Power Authority customers and by 7:15 a.m. LIPA was reporting 1,102 customers without power -- most of them in Great Neck, East Farmingdale and East Hills. It was not immediately clear when power might be restored.

The weather service said winds of 25-30 mph were likely throughout the day with gusts up to 50 mph.

The advisory said: "Scattered tree and limb damage along with scattered power outages are possible."

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds of 31-39 mph -- or gusts of 46-57 mph -- are expected or occurring. The weather service warns that winds that strong "can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles" and urges drivers to exercise caution.

Forecasters said we can expect gradually clearing skies as the day moves on and temperatures are expected to climb into the low 60s. Skies clear overnight, when temperatures drop into the lows 40s, and though there is a slight chance of showers Thursday we can expected highs in the mid-to-upper 50s.

Sunny skies are expected Friday, Saturday and Sunday.