Long Island weather: Flash flood watch issued for midweek when Ida approaches

As a weakened Ida marches up the East Coast from a ravaged Louisiana, the National Weather Service has warned of flash flooding from the storm's remnants Wednesday night into Thursday.

"The remnants of Ida will pass near the region Wednesday night through Thursday. Deep tropical moisture will interact with a nearly stationary frontal boundary across the Middle Atlantic and Northeast to produce heavy rainfall late Wednesday through Thursday morning," the weather service said Monday afternoon, adding that 3 to 5 inches or more are possible, which could lead to flash flooding of rivers, streams and low-lying shore communities.

In another statement Monday, the weather service added that: "Abnormally wet conditions so far this summer have resulted in higher than normal streamflow and water tables, which elevates the flash flood threat."

There is a chance of storms earlier in the week, but from 2 p.m. Wednesday to 2 p.m. Thursday, the heavy, sustained rain is most likely, said the weather service, which issued a flash flood watch for that time period.

Then-Hurricane Ida battered Louisiana Sunday, its wind gusts of more than 170 mph knocking out power to New Orleans and more than a million customers. It was downgraded to a tropical storm early Monday and headed up through the southeast, where it was expected to weaken but still cause heavy rain and flash flooding.

The local forecast calls for Ida's remnants to move away Thursday night, making way for a sunny Friday.

Temperatures will be in the mid-80s Tuesday, then the mid-70s Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.