Long Island weather: New year starts sunny and warm but windy

It’s likely to be a sunny and warm, but windy start to 2019 for Long Islanders, forecasters said.

Rain and cold temperatures dampened New Year’s Eve celebrations for many on Monday, but skies Tuesday are expected to clear up, giving way to sunshine by the afternoon, said Melissa Di Spigna, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Upton.

Temperatures could rise to 51 degrees by 4 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and even higher, 53 degrees, before dropping to 47 degrees for the rest of the day.

A wind advisory is in effect with winds reaching 20 to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph, Di Spigna said. Temperatures in the evening are expected to be more seasonable dropping to 28 degrees, she said.

Wednesday is expected to be colder with sunny skies and a high near 36 degrees.

Thursday night and Friday could bring more rain, though forecasters say the possibility ranges between 40 percent for Thursday night and 30 percent for Friday.

Temperatures will hover between the low 30s and low to mid-40s.