Milder winter returns this week for Long Island

Long Island is returning to milder winter temperatures this week, after a period of bone chilling conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

After temperatures bounced back into the 40s Sunday from 48 hours of brutal cold, Long Islanders will see an even warmer Monday. The high will be nearly 48, but with wind gusts potentially as high as 26 mph. The temperature dips at night to mid-20s with gusts as high as 24 mph and mostly clear skies.

John Cristantello, weather service meteorologist in Upton, said the island should expect a return to “what we’ve been seeing this winter, above normal temperatures.” The average temperature for Islip this time of year is a high of about 40 and a low in the mid-20s.

Tuesday will be partly sunny with a high in the low 40s, but wind chill values will be between 20 and 30. Again, wind gusts could be as high as 22 mph. A 20% chance of rain is forecast at night before 1 a.m., with a low near 38.

Cristantello said wind chills will be a concern, but they will not be as frigid as last week’s conditions.

Conditions are dry for Wednesday, which will be sunny and feature a high close to 50, but dip at night to the mid-30s. Rain is likely for Thursday, which has a 60% chance of precipitation, mainly after 1 p.m., according to the weather service, with a high of 53. A 50% chance of rain is expected Thursday night with a low around 44.

Friday is currently forecast to be the warmest day of the week with a high near 54 and mostly sunny skies. However, rain may make an appearance at night, as a 50 % chance of rain with a low around 35 is forecast.

Rain will likely continue on a cloudy Saturday with a high in the mid to low 40s. More rain is forecast at night as temperatures drop to about 28.

Sunday's forecast is sunny with a high in the low 40s, the weather service said.