Long Island weather: Warm, rainy Thursday, then high winds overnight into Friday

Much warmer temperatures are in store for Thursday, but so are strong and potentially damaging winds that will kick in Thursday night and howl through to Friday morning, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for Suffolk County from late Thursday through Friday morning.

That translates into sustained winds of 30 mph to 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph for Suffolk. The more powerful winds will likely hit eastern Suffolk, forecasters said.

"Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles," the weather service said Wednesday afternoon.

Nassau and most of the region could also see strong winds, though not as powerful, with sustained winds of 25 mph to 35 mph and gusts between 45 mph and 55 mph, the weather service said.

Winds of 5 to 15 mph will pick up Wednesday night with lows in the 40s overnight and gusts as high as 29 mph expected Thursday during the day. The high winds will start blowing after midnight, forecasters said.

The temperature will soar to the mid-50s Thursday, as thunderstorms and rain move in Thursday into Friday, with heavy downpours expected in some areas.

Temperatures are expected to fall back into the 20s Friday night as the storm system passes.

The weather service is calling for sunny skies Saturday and Sunday, though daytime temperatures will be in the low 40s across most of Long Island, with temperatures still in the upper 30s in some areas.

A gale warning is in effect Wednesday for Atlantic Ocean waters, with a small craft advisory in effect for South Shore waters from New York Harbor to Jones Inlet. A gale watch also is in effect for the western Long Island Sound from New York City east to Port Jefferson.