Long Island weather: Stormy Saturday, possibly wet Sunday

Long Islanders should pack an umbrella this weekend, as the National Weather Service has forecast a chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely to sweep in from west to east across the island on Saturday, according to the weather service. The heaviest rains, which could cause localized flash flooding in areas with poor drainage, will most likely fall sometime between noon and 8 p.m. Saturday. 

"Into a portion of overnight Saturday, you could have some lingering showers," said meteorologist Jay Engle with the weather service's Upton office. "You could still see some showers around for the first half of Sunday."

There is a "marginal risk" that inclement weather, such as hail or tornados, will appear on Long Island. A "marginal risk" is the weather service's lowest of five inclement weather risk levels.

"The higher risk will be from the city, north and west," Engle said. "If you get thunderstorms, you could get some strong winds."

On Saturday, high temperatures will reach the low 80s in Nassau and around 80 in Suffolk, according to the weather service. High temperatures will be around 10 degrees cooler on Sunday.

The NWS has issued a high rip current risk advisory for South Shore ocean waters across Nassau and Suffolk Counties through 8 p.m. Saturday.

"Life-threatening rip currents are likely for all people entering the surf zone," the agency warned beach goers in the alert. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."

The NWS urges anyone entering the beaches to bring a floatation device and only swim in view of a lifeguard. 

Conditions will calm Sunday afternoon and evening before Long Islander's embrace a temperate work week of sun and clouds with temperatures in the 70s, the NWS forecasted.

"A big, early fall high pressure system ... should be in control for much of the week," staving off rain, Engle said.