Forecast: Gradual warmup for LI but chilly nights

Long Island's January cold snap began abating Wednesday, in a warming trend predicted to last the rest of the week, forecasters said.

"High pressure will remain over the area through Friday, with temperatures a few degrees above normal especially in the daytime," said the service's regional summary Wednesday afternoon, which called for temperatures in the 40s during the day.

But nighttime lows will continue to be in the 20s and come Friday clouds will arrive, with Saturday expected to be unsettled with rain and a "raw wind," the weather service said.

The system may result in a wintry mix for some areas through the weekend and likely some sleet for Long Island Saturday night, forecasters said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”