Weather forecast for Long Island: Weekend to start with rain — again

Rain on a Saturday on Long Island? Sounds familiar.

For the seventh consecutive weekend, Long Islanders will need to pack an umbrella for the start of the weekend, with one to three inches of rain expected to fall across much of the region from Friday through Saturday afternoon, according to an updated forecast from the National Weather Service.

It will be the 10th out of the past 13 weekends when there has been rainfall.

Rainfall rates could reach up to half an inch per hour in some locations and one inch per hour in some isolated locations, the weather service said.

The service advised that "scattered instances of minor urban and poor drainage flooding" are possible across the region.

In addition, minor flooding is possible "along quick responding small rivers, streams, creeks and adjacent roads and properties if and where high end rainfall amounts and rates are realized," the weather service said.

The service said rainfall of about ¾ inch was possible on Friday.

High winds could also present a challenge, officials said, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph expected for coastal areas Saturday afternoon through Sunday, potentially downing tree limbs and leading to possible power outages. Wind gusts of up to 55 mph are possible on eastern Long Island, according to the forecast.

Halloween decorations that are not tightly secured could potentially blow away, the weather service said.

But there is some good news.

Forecasters are predicting intensifying winds will also move the system out of our area, bringing partly sunny skies to Nassau and Suffolk counties on Sunday. Expect temperatures in the upper 50s Sunday with gusts of up to 33 mph, officials said.

There is also small craft advisory in effect from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday for all Long Island coastal waters, including Atlantic waters from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to Montauk Point — with a gale watch in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday evening.

In a statement issued Friday morning, the weather service said: "Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for severe wind and seas."