Long Island weather: Chance of rain Sunday, big storm Tuesday

Isaias means "Behold, God is my salvation" in Spanish, but while the storm of that name that Long Island is preparing for isn't quite of Biblical proportions, it is forecast to pound the Island beginning Tuesday with heavy rain and destructive winds.

In the run-up to the storm, on Sunday there is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 84, according to the National Weather Service. 

Isaias weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm Saturday afternoon, but was expected to regain hurricane strength overnight as it barrels toward Florida.

Advising Long Islanders to be mindful of Isaias, the weather service said: "Potential impacts during the Monday night to Wednesday time period include heavy rainfall and gusty winds, coastal flooding, and hazardous surf."

West-southwest of Nassau, Bahamas, early Saturday afternoon, the first hurricane of the season that could strike mid-Atlantic states has sustained winds of about 80 mph, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.

The agencies, fearing any evacuations will prove particularly risky due to COVID-19, have declared states of emergency from Florida to Virginia.

The NWS issued a hazardous outlook for severe thunderstorms on Sunday. "The primary threat at this time is expected to be damaging winds and hail," it said.

But as unwelcome a rainy Sunday is, the Island has been under a drought watch for the past few days as the year-to-date shortfall totals around six inches, according to National Weather Service data. And all the clouds and storms have defeated the recent heat wave — and will continue to do so, at least until the end of  this week.

Rain is likely with the odds hovering from 40% to 50% from Monday to Wednesday, with daytime highs in the mid-80s.

Thursday is the first day no showers are anticipated, according to the NWS.

Both Thursday and Friday, when the sun also will rule the skies, should see temperatures capped around 85 during the day.

With The Associated Press

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.com,joan.gralla@newsday.comchayesmatthew,

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.