Forecast: Rain, sleet and later this week, snow

A wintry mix of rain and sleet will be hovering over Long Island this week, starting with freezing rain Sunday night that will extend through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

"A wintry mix, including freezing rain, is likely beginning late tonight as a weak area of low pressure passes south and east of Long Island," said the weather service briefing Sunday night.

"Freezing rain may be more spotty across Long Island and NYC tonight. Temperatures across southeastern Long Island may rise above freezing before precipitation moves in, allowing for plain rain," the briefing said.

But the weather service also warned: "More significant freezing rain is expected Monday night into Tuesday morning as another area of low pressure approaches from the southwest."

The good news is that Long Island should escape the Monday night ice storm being predicted for upstate, where travel will be virtually "impossible," forecasters said. But conditions could still be slick locally, and will affect both of Monday's commutes in some form.

The precipitation continues Tuesday, with the possible addition of sleet in the afternoon.

A brief reprieve from the wintry trend will come on Wednesday, which is expected to be cold but mostly sunny, with a high of around 32 degrees.

The next round of snow could come Thursday, when flakes could begin falling about 6 a.m. and continue through Friday morning. The weather service has not yet published snowfall estimates.

More rain is likely on Friday, but clear skies should return on Saturday, which is expected to be cold but mostly sunny.