Chance of showers overnight into Wednesday, forecasters say

A severe thunderstorm watch was issued Tuesday for all of Long Island, the National Weather Service said.

A severe thunderstorm warning for western Suffolk and Nassau County ended at 4:45 p.m.

An alert on the weather service website warned Long Islanders to "be prepared" in the event a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. A warning indicates "imminent danger" and protective measures are needed.

The latest thunderstorm watch also includes New York City and Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Approaching storms could lead to flash flooding in areas, the weather service said, with damaging wind gusts of 58-69 mph possible.

Large diameter hail also is possible in some areas, the weather service said.

The overall watch area also spills over into several nearby states, including New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, the weather service said.

In its Long Island forecast, the weather service said "showers and thunderstorms are likely before midnight," with a slight chance of showers overnight into Wednesday.

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.”