Long Island weather: Chance of rain overnight, storms arrive Thursday

Autumn will arrive Thursday with a mix of showers and a strong shot of cooler air, the National Weather Service said. But temperatures should rebound somewhat for the weekend.

Thursday will feature rain and thunderstorms as the change of seasons takes hold. Fall arrives just past 9 p.m. “Look for wet weather in the form of rain/rain showers through most of the day,” the weather service said, with skies likely clearing from the west to east in the afternoon.

On the Island, a quarter of an inch of rain is forecast but scattered thunderstorms could deliver twice that amount, mildly easing the Island's severe drought.

Then, gusty winds from the north will enter the region in the evening, forecasters said, along with high surf and dangerous rip currents from Hurricane Fiona off shore.

"A significant air mass change will take place as a large area of Canadian high pressure will begin to builds into the area. This will usher in a more fall like regime as temperatures overnight fall into the 40s and 50s," the weather service said.

Thursday’s daytime high of 76 degrees will drop about 10 degrees Friday, with winds up to 32 mph blowing most of the day. 

The weekend looks to be sunny and comfortable, with highs rebounding to around 70 degrees Saturday and 75 Sunday. Sunday night, going into Monday morning will see chances for rain, forecasters said, before the sun returns Tuesday with a high in the low 70s.