Long Island weather: Severe thunderstorms possible in some areas

Areas of Long Island have a moderate to slight risk for severe thunderstorms late afternoon and evening Tuesday, forecasters say.

There’s a slight risk for strong to locally severe thunderstorms for Nassau County, with a marginal risk for western Suffolk, the National Weather Service said.

“The main threat will be damaging winds and large hail, however, an isolated tornado is possible,” with the highest risk for areas to the west of the New York City metropolitan area, the weather service said.

“Definitely some strong storms could be embedded” in the system, but the most severe are not anticipated for the Island, especially Suffolk County, said Tim Morrin, National Weather Service meteorologist in Upton. The better chances to reach severe level would be for Nassau. 

The ‘hot spot’ for these severe storms is more to the west — southern and western New Jersey to Philadelphia and into Central Pennsylvania, said Geoff Bansen, News 12 Long Island meteorologist.

Still, areas of Long Island can expect “some big boomers” from around 4 to 5 p.m. and through the commute, he said. If you see darkening skies, best to head indoors.

There also is a high rip current risk Tuesday afternoon into the evening for Atlantic beaches in Nassau County.

Temperatures were rising to the mid- to upper 60s — quite the comedown from Sunday’s 86 degrees and Monday’s 81 at Long Island MacArthur Airport.

As of just around 2:30 p.m., the Ronkonkoma airport was reporting 63 degrees, with light rain. The normal high for the day is 71, with 54 the normal low.

Look for partly sunny skies Wednesday, with highs of around 70, as the late afternoon to evening hours bring chances of showers with potential for thunderstorms, possibly strong, 

For Thursday, there's a slight chance of showers and highs around the mid-70s.

The workweek wraps up Friday, forecast to see mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s, with similar conditions expected Saturday. 

Sunday? Don’t you know it — it's back to a chance of showers.