Long Island weather: Severe thunderstorm warning in effect

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect Saturday evening for Long Island after another day of heat and humidity engulfed Long Island.

The National Weather Service said that at 6:48 p.m. Saturday radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, moving northeast at 35 mph.

At 6 p.m. Saturday a severe thunderstorm was observed over Bayville and Glen Cove, moving east at 25 mph. Wind gusts of 60 mph and quarter-size hail were possible, the weather service said.

Strong thunderstorms were expected through 7:30 p.m. in Western Suffolk, Nassau, Queens and Brooklyn. 

A heat advisory remained in effect for much of Long Island through 7 p.m. Saturday, with the maximum heat index in the upper 90s.

As for the heat, “The actual air temperature is probably not going to get much above 87, maybe 88 degrees at most today,” David Stark, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Upton, said. “But when you add the humidity, which is basically how moisture is in the air, it goes up.”

The weather service warns of an increased risk of heat-related illness for “vulnerable populations.” Stark stopped short of telling people not to go outdoors, but he said those who might be susceptible to high temperatures should exercise caution. He warned against leaving kids or pets unattended in cars, which can heat up quickly.

“Make sure if you’re outside, have plenty of water. Try to limit your time outdoors, especially in the sun,” Stark said. “Try not do anything too strenuous for a long period of time, because it can be tough on the body, especially if you don’t have enough water.”

A tropical storm is expected to hit Florida on Saturday, which could be near hurricane strength by Sunday night, according to weather.com, but at this point it does not appear the extreme weather will reach Long Island.

In Upton, scattered thunderstorms are in the forecast for Sunday, but that is predicted to give way to sunny conditions by Monday.

By Joshua Needelman

joshua.needelman@newsday.com

Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.