Long Island weather: Spring brings clouds and evening rain Thursday before clear weekend

The first day of spring arrived Thursday, bringing an overcast afternoon and evening showers that could last into Friday, the National Weather Service said. 

The clouds will stay most of the day, as the mercury rises to the upper 40s, then showers fall Thursday night, with a 90% chance of precipitation into Friday morning that could bring up to a half inch of rain.

Skies will clear Friday afternoon, with a high of 52 and sunshine, forecasters said. The service forecasts a clear Friday night with wind gusts of up to 23 mph and a low of 37.

Saturday and Sunday will be sunny as well. Saturday will be the warmer day, with a high of 56. But Sunday’s temperatures drop to a high of 48, as another system makes its way to the Island late Sunday night, the weather service said. There is a 40% chance of rain overnight into Monday morning.

An 80% chance of rain is forecast for Monday, the service said. Showers are predicted on and off through the day, clearing overnight and leading to a sunny Tuesday with a high of 53.