Long Island weather: Scattered showers, chance of some snow

The scattered rain showers in the forecast for later Wednesday could now have some snow mixed in, or a brief period of snow only, but with little or no accumulation, the National Weather Service said.

While there’s a slight chance for a passing rain shower earlier, the likeliest time for precipitation on Long Island, starting as rain, is around 4 p.m. through 7 to 9 p.m., said Joe Pollina, weather service meteorologist based in Upton.

That means right around the evening commute.

By around 6 to 7 p.m., there’s a chance for snow to mix in, even with the possibility of all snow for an hour or so in some areas, Pollina said. Precipitation at first is expected to be scattered, he said, but could turn widespread for a brief period.

As of just before 2 p.m., the temperature at Long Island MacArthur Airport was 46 degrees, with mostly cloudy skies.

The overnight hours bring a return of gusty winds, but not with the strength of those seen Monday, which topped 50 mph.

Overnight gusts could be as high as around 30 mph, Pollina said, increasing to 35 to 40 mph for Thursday, which is also forecast to bring partly sunny skies, with highs in the upper 30s.