Long Island weather: Saturday’s temps in 60s before cold snap

The last of the above-normal temperatures will cease Saturday afternoon on Long Island as a cold front creeps in from the west and sharply drives down temperatures by 20 degrees, the National Weather Service said.

Temperatures across the Island were in the 30s and lower 40s about 7 a.m. and are expected to top out in the lower 60s Saturday afternoon, said Brian Ciemnecki, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Upton bureau.

Dry conditions will persist throughout the day before clouds begin to increase during the afternoon hours, with rain showers expected to move into the area overnight Saturday, Ciemnecki said, when temperatures fall into the 40s.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a whole different story,” Ciemnecki said of Sunday, with high temperatures maxing out in the 40s. “It’ll be a significant difference with respect to temperatures compared to Saturday.”

Matt Hammer, a meteorologist with News 12 Long Island said Saturday: “If you’re a fan of warmer weather, then get outside today and enjoy the last of it! Big changes arrive Sunday.”

If temperatures at Long Island MacArthur Airport hit 63 degrees, that would tie the previous record for Saturday set in 1999, Hammer said.

Cloudy skies will reign Sunday along with a chance of more isolated showers. “It will probably be more dry than wet but the threat of rain will be there,” Ciemnecki said.

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Winds will pick up drastically with gusts up to 40 to 45 mph, he said.

The normal high for this time of year at Long Island MacArthur Airport is 52 degrees and the low at 43, Ciemnecki said.

Going into Monday, a chance of rain persists, which “may mix or change over to some snow showers,” Ciemnecki said. Temperatures Monday will stay in the 40s, but dry, he said, with gusty winds up to 40 mph.

Highs will stay chilly through Wednesday before we hit the 50s again by Thanksgiving, Hammer said, when Long Islanders can expect it to be damp with some showers.