Long Island forecast: High winds, a mix of clouds and sun

Strong and potentially dangerous winds are forecast to continue Thursday across Long Island, with predicted gusts between 40 to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph were reported late Wednesday afternoon and into the early evening, said James Tomasini, a meteorologist with the weather service's Upton office.

After diminishing somewhat overnight, wind speeds were expected to pick up again Thursday morning, Tomasini said.

The weather service issued a wind advisory through 10 p.m. Thursday, with the potential for sustained winds of between 15 and 30 mph and isolated gusts of up to 55 mph.

The winds could topple trees and cause power outages, the weather service said, although early Wednesday evening, PSEG Long Island had reported no major outages. Outdoor decorations and other objects should be secured, the weather service's online advisory states.

The MTA announced  empty tractor trailers and tandem trucks are barred from using seven New York City bridges for the duration of the wind advisory: The Bronx-Whitestone, Cross Bay, Henry Hudson, Marine Parkway, Robert F. Kennedy, Throgs Neck and Verrazzano-Narrows.

Highs Thursday are forecast to top out in the low 40s, under partly sunny skies, with wind chills making it feel closer to the low 30s.

"It could still be a little gusty [Thursday] night, but the winds will be lowering through the night gradually," Tomasini said. Lows were expected in the upper 20s, with wind chills in the teens.

Friday will start out mostly sunny, with increasing clouds in the afternoon and highs in the upper 30s. Wind gusts could be as high as 25 mph, Tomasini said. Look for lows in the lower to mid-20s Friday night and wind chills in the mid-teens.

The weekend will be cold, with highs in the lower to mid-30s both days and lows in the low 20s. Skies are forecast to be partly sunny on Saturday and mostly sunny on Sunday.

There is a 30% chance of snow starting Sunday evening into Monday morning.

"It’s too early to talk amounts, but it looks like it will be on the lighter side" if snow develops, Tomasini said. Highs are forecast in the low to mid-30s and lows in the lower 20s.

With Nicholas Spangler

By David Olson

david.olson@newsday.com@DavidOlson11

David Olson covers health care. He has worked at Newsday since 2015 and previously covered immigration, multicultural issues and religion at The Press-Enterprise in Southern California.