Long Island forecast: Sharp drop in temperatures expected into New Year's holiday, forecasters say

Long Island caught a brief break from the cold Monday but a drastic drop in temperature and high winds are both on tap for Tuesday, with chilly days and nights for the rest of the week, the National Weather Service said.

Monday's high temperatures of about 50 degrees helped melt much of the snow remaining from the weekend storm. By Tuesday morning, the high will top out about 33 degrees under partly sunny skies and winds of between 17 and 21 mph with gusts of up to 44 mph, according to the weather service. 

A wind advisory issued at 4 p.m. Monday continues through 6 p.m. Tuesday. Peak winds were expected to hit Monday evening and last into Tuesday morning.

"Strong winds will blow down scattered tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects," the weather service said on its website. "A few trees and power lines could be downed. Isolated power outages are possible."

Subfreezing temperatures are forecast Tuesday overnight into Wednesday, New Year's Eve. Daytime temperatures Wednesday could push into the mid-30s, the weather service said.

If you're planning to hit Times Square New Year's Eve — or, to just be out somewhere, expect it to be very cold. Forecasters are calling for temperatures to drop to about 21 degrees late Wednesday, with a high in the upper 20s on New Year's Day.

Snow is possible on New Year's Eve, as well, with wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Forecasters are calling for a high of 29 degrees Friday and highs around the freezing mark both Saturday and Sunday.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.