Long Island weather: Sunny with temps near 70 for fall's first weekend

The first weekend of fall is expected to be sunny and pleasant, the National Weather Service said.

After a few weeks of higher than average temperatures, Saturday's highs will reach 70 degrees, the average for Long Island for late September, said Joe Pollina, a meteorologist with the service's Upton office.

Sunday's highs will be slightly warmer, but both days will have lows in the mid 50s, a few degrees higher than the average, he said.

Long Islanders can also expect to see mostly sunny skies and dry conditions for the duration of the weekend, ahead of a chance of slight chance of rain Monday morning into the evening and again on Tuesday, he said.

Those heading to the beach, however, should be cautious -- the service has issued a statement that rip currents may be strong at Suffolk County's ocean beaches until Saturday evening.

The currents are most often seen at low spots and near sandbars and structures such as groins, jetties or piers, the service noted. Swimmers who become caught should yell for help and try to stay afloat or swim parallel to the shore, the service advised.