Long Island weather forecast: Harsh cold to give way to warmer temperatures

The frigid temperatures that returned to the region Sunday are expected to stick around for one more day before the weather warms significantly by midweek, according to the National Weather Service.

Monday's high temperature is forecast to be 36 degrees with a low Monday night of about 25, according to the weather service.

"There’s a high-pressure system through the area in the beginning of the week," Matthew Wunsch, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Upton, said Sunday.

Sunday was clear and cold with a high of 33 degrees before it was expected to drop to around 19 overnight. Northwest winds of 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph, made for wind chills in the teens earlier Sunday.

Winds are expected to diminish Monday, forecasters said.

A warming trend begins Tuesday as "the high pressure moves offshore," Wunsch said, and winds will be coming from the south. Temperatures will climb into the mid-40s under sunny skies, according to the weather service.

Wednesday will be warmer still, with a high in the low 50s, but rain is expected across Long Island in the afternoon and evening. Low temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday will remain well above freezing, according to the forecast.

There is a 30% chance the rain could continue into Thursday morning, but skies should clear by the afternoon. Thursday’s high should remain in the low 50s but the low is expected to dip back down to 29 degrees, the forecast said.

High temperatures in the 40s are expected next weekend, according to the weather service.

With Grant Parpan