Memorial Day weekend weather forecast for Long Island: Plenty of rain

Overcast skies could rain on Memorial Day parades across Long Island.

A system heading for the Island will bring cloudy, cool and damp weather just in time for the first day of the three-day weekend, the National Weather Service said.

"The timing of this rain couldn't be any worse as far as the holiday weekend is concerned," weather service meteorologist Bill Goodman told Newsday Friday evening. "But I'm holding out some hope that Monday ends up being a fairly good day."

Light rain will creep across the Island starting late Saturday morning and last through the afternoon, Goodman said. High temperatures will reach into the upper 50s.

Later Saturday, moderate to "locally heavy" rainfall and winds gusting up to 30 mph are expected in the evening and overnight. On Sunday, the weather service forecast highs in the low 60s, up to 2 inches of rain and wind gusts exceeding 30 mph.

"Sunday does not look like a good day at all weather-wise," Goodman said. "We may actually do alright Monday. ... It's possible most of the day may end up being dry."

Temps will rise about 10 degrees into the low 70s Monday, but a 50% chance of showers still lingers over the federal holiday, according to the weather service. Starting Tuesday, Long Islanders can expect a string of days much better suited to barbecues.

"It looks like a dry week coming up, and warmer, with highs in the 70s most days, probably getting into the 80s on Wednesday," Goodman said.