Tropical Storm Debby to bring about an inch of rain, gusty winds as path of direct hit stays west of LI

Long Island will likely avoid the worst from Debby when the tropical storm's remnants arrive Friday, meteorologists said Thursday, with a change of path westward meaning less rain for the region. 

When the system hits Friday, it will likely bring a period of heavy rain, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms, gusty winds, high surf and rip currents, according to the National Weather Service. But Debby's path has shifted well to the west toward Pennsylvania, allowing meteorologists to downgrade initial forecasts for Long Island to about an inch of rain.

"The brunt of the rain we’re going to get is Friday and Friday night," said Jay Engle, a meteorologist at the weather service's Upton station.

By Saturday morning, the remnants will move east and north. A cold front will then swing through the area, Engle said.

Before it heads northeast to the tristate, the storm Thursday was expected to bring "catastrophic" flooding to parts of North Carolina and Virginia and possible tornadoes, the National Hurricane Center said in a briefing.

On Long Island, besides the rain, the weather service said winds of 20-30 mph are expected and gusts of 35-45 mph are possible on Friday.

Friday's high is forecast to hit 82. The low both nights will dip into the mid-60s, the weather service said.

Forecasters changed Debby's track after it interacted later than anticipated with jet stream winds, pulling the tropical cyclone north and west of its initial path, Engle said.

The cyclone's change of course was welcome news for the region.

Long Island was drying out Wednesday after a system hit the area Tuesday afternoon system, dumping more than four inches in some areas, flooding roadways and downing trees. 

The rainfall forced Kennedy and LaGuardia airports to ground flights into early Wednesday morning.