Rain slows but drizzle, gusty winds stay through evening, NWS says

The steadier rain that fell on Long Island earlier Wednesday has turned to drizzle, but showers could yet return overnight, the National Weather Service said.

Making matters more miserable are east-northeast winds of 10-20 mph with gusts of 25-30 mph, highest along the South Shore, making it feel chillier than the daytime high of 50 degrees.

There is a 20% chance of rain overnight and into the predawn hours of Thursday, forecasters said. 

After a cloudy but likely dry morning, raw conditions return Thursday afternoon and evening with rain considered likely along with persistent east winds of up to 30 mph and thunderstorms rumbling through the area in the evening and overnight. The high will be about 52, falling to a mild nighttime low of just 49 mph.

Temperatures rise to almost 60 degrees Friday and after a 30% chance of rain in the morning, partly sunny conditions are expected, the weather service said.

There's a good chance of showers again Saturday morning with sunshine looking likely in the afternoon. Sunday brings more sun, and temperatures in the mid-50s, conditions that should stick around Monday and Tuesday, forecasters said.

The weather service said the average normal high for the day is right around 58 degrees.

The record high for metro-New York is 79 degrees, set in 1912, then repeated in 1921 and 1947, according to the New York City Almanac. The record low is 21 degrees, set in 1982.

The record high at Islip, whose local records only date to 1963, is 68 degrees, set in 1988. The record low for Islip is 24 degrees, set in 1995.

There's a small craft advisory in effect for all Long Island waters until 6 p.m. on the South Shore and until midnight for Long Island Sound.

There's a gale warning in effect for all offshore Atlantic Ocean waters at the continental shelf.

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.”