Up to 3 inches of rain possible on LI

Rain, expected to be heavy at times, is drenching Long Island Wednesday and forecasters said coastal flooding is possible.

Tidal departures along the western Long Island Sound are expected to be 1 1/2-to-2 feet above the astronomical tide, forecasters at the National Weather Service said. That could lead to minor coastal flooding in the late afternoon.

Meanwhile, 1-to-2 inches of rain are expected in most areas, forecasters said, with up to 3 inches expected in eastern areas -- as bands of heavy rain develop. That rain should continue into the evening.

East winds will increase from 15 to 25 mph, forecasters said, with gusts up to 30 mph.

We can expect partly sunny skies Thursday with breezy conditions and sunny skies Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Don't get too excited, though. Forecasters said highs should be around 62 degrees each of those days -- with lows in the mid-to-upper 40s.