Long Island forecast: Evening showers but storms weaken

Severe thunderstorm warnings for communities in Hempstead and North Hempstead on Monday evening were canceled as storms coming into Long Island from the west weakened, the National Weather Service said.

"The severe thunderstorm watch has expired and the threat for severe weather has diminished. There are a few lingering showers and thunderstorms which should gradually end in the next few hours," the weather service said in a tweet.

Unsettling low pressure had been forecast for many places, darkening skies, dropping the temperature, and bringing the threat of rain and thunder to some spots, forecasters said. But while occasional rain was overspreading the area, a severe thunderstorm warning issued for areas by the Nassau County border such as Great Neck and communities in Hempstead town such as Elmont, Valley Stream, and Mineola was canceled, the weather service said.

Earlier, the weather service had said as the system moves east, encountering Long Island's cooler air off the water, it was likely to weaken, the weather service said.

A strong storm with winds of 30 mph had been tracked in Long Beach at about 8 p.m. and moving northeast through communities such as Islip, Deer Park, Lindenhurst and Huntington Station, the weather service said.

Lows will drop to the mid 50s as the cold front comes through.

There was also a small craft advisory in effect from 8 p.m. Monday through to 6 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service said.

The good news is Tuesday and Wednesday will be fair. The weather service is calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s both days, although it will stay breezy. 

Expect partly sunny skies for Thursday, when there is a small chance of rain and a high of 68 degrees, and abundant sunshine Friday with a high of 75, although the chance of rain is slight. Skies should be sunny for the weekend, when temperatures are expected to soar to around 80.