Long Island forecast: Showers Monday, Tuesday; clear skies midweek

The National Weather Service is predicting a wet start to the week, with rain in the forecast for both Monday and Tuesday before sunny skies make a return Wednesday.

Despite expected moderate temperatures, high humidity will still make the daytime weather uncomfortable for most.

A high of 69 degrees is expected Monday, with 75 on tap for Tuesday. But, the weather service said, humidity levels are at 93% percent as of 8:30 a.m. Monday. Showers are likely before 2 p.m. Monday, then again late Monday into Tuesday, when thunderstorms are possible before 8 a.m.

Sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s are expected for Wednesday, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s expected Thursday.

The weather service said rain showers are possible Friday, Saturday and Sunday — all as temperatures barely crack the 70-degree mark on both weekend days.

The Air Quality Index was firmly planted in the "moderate" category Monday, with federal monitors noting that while air quality is "acceptable," there still may be a health risk for some — especially those who are "unusually sensitive" to air pollution.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”