Cooler, more seasonable week, cloudy Tuesday, weather service says

Cooler, more seasonable weather has returned Monday, following an unusually hot weekend that felt more like summer than late spring.

The National Weather Service says the past weekend's temperatures were in the upper 80s and lows 90s but should drop back into what is far more normal for this time of year — the 60s and 70s this week — with overnight temps in the 50s.

Monday's sunshine comes with a high of about 72 degrees with light breezes and a low of 56.

The weather service said we can expect cloud-filled skies and a high of just 68 Tuesday and a partly sunny Wednesday with a high of 67. There's a small chance of showers Thursday but that risk goes up as the day goes on and showers are likely Friday.

There's a good chance of lots of sunshine for the coming Memorial Day weekend, at least for Saturday and Sunday, the weather service said. Temperatures figure to be the more modest mid-70s, milder than the scorcher of this past weekend.

The weather service reminds that with the holiday weekend — and the gateway to summer — looming, this week is National Safe Boating Week.

That means it's time to review all the safety protocols if you operate a boat, including making certain you wear a life jacket, make sure life jackets fit properly and are U.S. Coast Guard approved, and that you know state boating laws. Make sure you've either taken a boating safety course or have taken a refresher, and that your boat is prepared following a safety check and you know your boat's capacity so not to overload it. 

Also, always have a float plan, be aware of carbon monoxide risks, follow navigation guidelines and don't drink and drive your boat. For more information, visit the National Safe Boating Council web page at safeboatingcouncil.org.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”