Heavy rain, high winds in LI forecast

The National Weather Service has issued a high-wind watch for Long Island, in effect this afternoon through 6 a.m. Wednesday, as a storm front moves in, bringing heavy rain and a small chance of a tornado.

Winds will be sustained at 15-25 mph with gusts of 50-60 mph possible, the weather service said. Potential effects include downed tree limbs and power lines, as well as power outages, forecasters said.

Severe thunderstorms will continue through Wednesday morning, the Upton-based agency said.

Long Island rainfall amounts could range between 1 and 2 inches, the agency said. Chance for precipitation Tuesday is 60 percent during the day and 100 percent Tuesday night, the service said.

Meteorologist David Stark said the clash between a north-moving warm front and an east-moving cold front could set up conditions for a tornado.

With high winds and heavy rain ahead, there also is a high risk for rip currents on Atlantic beaches off Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn, the National Weather Service said. The high risk advisory for rip currents runs to 8 p.m. and includes surf heights of 4 feet to 6 feet.