Relief from humidity to come Wednesday, but chance of showers first, forecasters say

Relief from humid conditions is on the way for Wednesday, but first there's a chance of scattered showers, with any thunderstorms bringing the possibility of gusty winds, the National Weather Service says.

"Prime time" for showers anywhere on the Island would be between 8 p.m. and midnight, said Jay Engle, weather service meteorologist based in Upton.

Meanwhile, arrival delays at LaGuardia Airport late Tuesday afternoon were averaging around an hour and three quarters, with Kennedy seeing delays of over an hour, the Federal Aviation Administration said on its website. The FAA advised travelers to check with their airlines.

Areas of Long Island reached the mid-to-high 80s on Tuesday, but with the humidity it felt like temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s.

After hitting 94 on Monday -- the first time 90 was seen there in two years to the day -- Long Island MacArthur Airport reached 88 Tuesday, feeling more like 90 at some points in the day, the weather service said.

A cold front moves across the Island Tuesday night, bringing a drop in humidity, with temperatures Wednesday in the low to mid-80s. Look for drier, less humid air Wednesday and Thursday, said News 12 Long Island meteorologist Rich Hoffman.

Because of the heat, the Town of Hempstead said it would open 15 senior-citizen centers to the public through Wednesday as "cooling centers." The town also is extending hours at 13 swimming pools.

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Nassau County also said it was opening cooling centers through Tuesday in the communities of Hicksville, North Massapequa, Rockville Centre, Lawrence and Glen Cove.