Long Island weather: ‘Coldest air of the season’ on the way

It’s time to reach into the back of the closet and pull out those heavy jackets and wool sweaters.

An arctic front is a comin’ to Long Island, “bringing the coldest air of the season to the area Friday into Saturday,” the National Weather Service said.

Temperatures are expected to peak early Friday near 40 degrees before dropping through the day into the 30s, said Carlie Buccola, weather service meteorologist in Upton, based on the forecast as of Wednesday afternoon.

Add to that northwest winds of around 22 mph, gusting to around 32 mph, and it could feel more like the 20s even under sunny skies, she said.

The coldest hit from this brief preview of winter is expected Saturday shortly before sunrise, when temperatures could be heading down to around 21 degrees, feeling more like the lower teens, Buccola said.

This means Long Island MacArthur Airport could see a record low for the day, dislodging the 24 degrees registered in 1973.

It also means you’ll want to “make sure your heat works,” said Rich Hoffman, News 12 Long Island meteorologist. And, Long Island can expect a “hard freeze,” he said, so outdoor plants need protecting.

For areas of the Island that have not already seen such low temperatures, this will mark the end of the growing season, Buccola said.

Normal highs at this time of year are the mid-50s, with overnight lows in the upper 30s.

Saturday, which is Veterans Day, is expected to be sunny, warming up in the afternoon to around 40 degrees, with less of a wind chill as winds will be diminishing, Buccola said. Overnight Saturday into Sunday could be seeing temperatures dropping into the upper 20s.

Those heading out Saturday to Veterans Day events, such as the Museum of American Armor parade of vintage tanks in Old Bethpage, should stay well-insulated — bring hats and gloves.

For others, “it’s a good time to stay inside,” Buccola said.

At least Sunday temperatures will head up to a high near 50 degrees, under mostly cloudy skies, according to the forecast.