Long Island weather: Overnight storms predicted as rough surf closes some beaches

Overnight storms could again threaten the tristate area Wednesday into Thursday, the National Weather Service said, as rough surf from Hurricane Larry closed several state beaches on Long Island to swimming.

A release from Gov. Kathy Hochul, warning residents of neighboring areas of possible flash flooding, said swimming is now prohibited due to rough surf at Jones Beach, Robert Moses, and Hither Hills State Parks.

"In addition, State Parks staff will be fortifying a protective sand 'berm' from the East Bathhouse to the West Bathhouse through the Central Mall, at Jones Beach State Park, as well as preparing sandbags if needed at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Hither Hills State Parks," the release said.

Storms should be arriving after 10 p.m. on Long Island, forecasters said. Gusty winds were already sailing through the area Wednesday afternoon but no damaging winds were forecast for Long Island.

The overnight rain was expected to produce about a quarter to a half inch of rain for Long Island. But the weather service relegated its flash flood warnings of heavier rainfall to New York City, New Jersey and points west of Long Island.

Hurricane Larry impacts

Atlantic Ocean beaches were already seeing waves from Hurricane Larry, an enormous storm that was headed northwest this week toward Canada.

"Significant swells will begin to reach the east coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada later today and continue affecting these shores through the end of the week," the National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday.

That means there is a high risk of rip currents from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening, said the weather service said, which issued a hazardous weather outlook. And that rip current risk might remain high on Friday too, it added.

Larry, whose sustained winds were clocked at 115 mph, should cross east of Bermuda on Thursday.

"After that time, Larry should begin to accelerate northeastward ahead of a deep-layer trough that will be moving across the northeastern United States, and this will bring the cyclone near or over southeastern Newfoundland in about 72 hours," the hurricane center said. Troughs are low pressure systems.

Thursday on Long Island likely will be rainy, with the odds of showers at 60%.

"Showers will be possible throughout the day on Thursday, (and) the farther east the better chance of seeing any showers," the weather service said.

Then, however, a drying high pressure system should push the clouds out Thursday night.

And after a mostly sunny weekend, the odds of showers on Monday night are 30% before the skies clear Tuesday.

With Joan Gralla