Drier days ahead this week for LI, despite soggy start
The rain held back Sunday, March 30, 2014, but there was flooding from the heavy downpour Saturday that left huge puddles, like this one at the Pine Aire Drive entrance to the Sagtikos Parkway. Credit: James Carbone
The soggy weekend caused some flooding on Long Island's roads, but expect drier days and somewhat warmer than average temperatures later in the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Sunday will see highs near 50, with a 90 percent chance of rain, said Joe Pollina, meteorologist with the service's Upton bureau. Rain will total a tenth to a quarter of an inch.
Sunday night, the chance of rain will decrease slightly, to 70 percent, he said. Another tenth of a quarter to an inch of rain is possible. Lows on Sunday will be in the mid- to upper 30s.
Some areas of Suffolk County were still flooded out Sunday morning, including roads in Medford, Hauppauge and Commack, where Suffolk County police reported receiving several calls from motorists stranded in large puddles.
By mid-morning Sunday, more than 5 inches of rain was reported in Westhampton, and more than 4 inches in Upton, Medford, Cutchogue and other locations, according to unofficial estimates by the National Weather Service.
Riverhead Town police reported some flooding overnight, as did East Hampton and Southampton Town police.
In Nassau County, which escaped the brunt of the rainfall, Wantagh saw the most precipitation, with just over 3 inches of rain.
Rain likely continues on Monday, with a 60 percent chance of a tenth to a quarter of an inch of precipitation. Highs on Monday will be in the upper 40s, with lows in the mid- to upper 30s.
Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-50s -- slightly above the average high this time of year, which is in the low 50s, Pollina said.
Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with lows in the upper 30s.
Wednesday will be slightly warmer, with highs in the mid- to upper 50s and sunny skies. Lows on Wednesday will also be in the upper 30s, with partly cloudy skies.
Thursday will be mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-50s. There will be a 40 percent chance of rain on Thursday night, with mostly cloudy skies and lows around 40.
The chance of rain continues on Friday, with highs that day in the lower 50s.
The good news is that all this rain may help to alleviate the drier than normal conditions in Nassau County and western Suffolk County.
The U.S. Drought Monitor had classified those areas as "abnormally dry," but not in drought.
An updated forecast of those conditions will be released on Thursday.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
