Forecast: Rainy Friday precedes milder weekend

A period of cooler temperatures, breezy east winds and rain precede a mostly sunny, milder weekend, the National Weather Service said Friday.

Rain dominates the immediate forecast for most of Nassau and Suffolk counties, with up to one-quarter inch expected to fall through Friday night, the service's Upton office said.

Light rain has seemingly had little affect on the Friday morning commute; the state Department of Transportation website, informny.com, had three minor traffic alerts reported for Long Island between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Chance of rain Friday to Friday night ranges from 70 percent to 90 percent, with east winds blowing up to 16 mph and the temperatures in the low to mid 40s.

A warm front is expected to stay south of the area Friday, the service said, with weak low pressure passing through Friday night.

High pressure builds for the weekend, bringing drier, milder conditions.

Saturday's high temperatures are expected to be in the high 50s, Sunday in the mid 50s.