Potential nor'easter to miss Long Island, but rain, wind expected Thursday, Friday

Stormy preholiday weather will impact travel headed into Memorial Day weekend even though a potential nor'easter expected in New England should miss Long Island, forecasters said.

And, forecasters now say much of that weather should clear for Saturday, Sunday and Monday — a major plus for holiday celebrations across Long Island.

"We're going to get rain and gusty winds," said John Murray, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Upton. "But, while we're currently assessing the forecast to see which of our waters a gale watch could affect, the winds are not at thresholds where it's anything like a nor'easter."

The rain and wind here are not enough to warrant advisories, "though we should see light to moderate rain over a long period of time," Murray said.

The weather service called for the bulk of any prolonged rain showers to carry on through Thursday, with lighter, possibly intermittent rain, expected throughout the day on Friday.

The forecast Thursday for Long Island calls for damp and cool conditions, with rainy, overcast skies and temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 50s.

There is some potential for minor coastal flooding along South Shore bays and creeks, Murray said, mostly around the high-tide cycle late Thursday.

Long Islanders also can expect wind gusts in the 25 mph to 30 mph range, with stronger gusts approaching 35 mph on the East End, he said.

A definable storm such as a nor'easter requires sustainable winds of 46 mph or greater, which was possible for Boston and parts of New England this week.

Forecasters said rain here should taper off throughout Friday, with partly sunny skies and warming temperatures that will hover in the mid-60s.

Saturday is expected to be partly sunny with a high  around 65. Sunday should bring sunny skies and temperatures around 70 degrees, the weather service said, and a similar forecast for Monday.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”