Sunday evening storms usher in cooler week

Severe thunderstorms and damaging winds west and north of New York City on Sunday should quiet down by the time they reach Long Island as cooler temperatures will prevail again this week.

Still, rain and possible thunderstorms will move into the area late Sunday night, according to David Stark, meteorologist in the National Weather Service's Upton bureau. The storms will usher in an end to the summerlike temperatures of the past several days.

Highs on Sunday will reach around 80 degrees for much of the island, but a cold front will move in Sunday night -- and with it, high chances of precipitation, mainly after dark, Stark said. Lows Sunday night will be in the 60s.

Stark said isolated, severe thunderstorms are expected to the north and west of New York City, but "it'll be on the downward trend" by the time the front reaches Long Island.

"There will still be a few thunderstorms around, but the intensity and severity will not be as strong," Stark said. "Long Island looks to be avoiding the severe thunderstorms."

Showers and possible thunder will continue into Monday, lingering until the afternoon, he said. Highs on Monday will be in the mid-70s, with lows in the mid- to upper 50s. Stark said the rainfall is expected to total about an inch, and some flood-prone areas may see some nuisance flooding.

Tuesday and Wednesday will see sunny skies, with highs at a more seasonable 72 to 74 degrees, Stark said. Lows both days will be in the low to mid-50s.

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Thursday brings clouds, with high temperatures in the lower 70s and lows in the low to mid-50s.

Another chance of precipitation comes on Friday, with a possible thunderstorm in the afternoon, Stark said. Highs on Friday will also be in the lower 70s.