Long Island forecast: Lots of sun but rain threat July Fourth

Long Islanders can expect a sunny and comfortable start to the week after a cloud-covered and sometimes rainy Sunday, but humid conditions and showers threaten to dampen July Fourth celebrations, according to the National Weather Service.

Mostly sunny skies and a high near 80 degrees are in the Monday morning forecast. Commuters will make their way to work amid mostly clear conditions that will continue for the ride home. Monday night, the temperature will dip into the low 60s, according to the weather service.

More of the same is forecast for Tuesday, with temperatures in the lower 80s and sunny skies. Tuesday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Warnings of hazardous weather and potentially life-threatening rip currents were set to be lifted late Sunday. Nassau and Suffolk police had reported no problems for bathers off Long Island beaches as of Sunday night.

“After [Sunday's] thunderstorms … it’ll be a lot less humid, a very pleasant Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and humidity kicks back on Thursday into Friday,” said Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for sunny skies, with temperatures in the 80s. Clouds creep in at night, with a low in the upper 60s.

Independence Day will likely remain dry in the morning, with a high near 85 and partly sunny skies. But the weather service predicts a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms at night, mainly after 8 p.m., with a low in the upper 60s.

“We could get some late storms, it’s still uncertain, it won’t be a washout, but late in the day we could get some scattered storms,” Engle said.

A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast leading into the weekend for both Friday and Saturday, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s.

Sunday’s forecast is dry, with sun and a high near 88, the weather service said.

With Tracy Tullis