Long Island forecast: Frost possible overnight before warming trend through Easter weekend

Easter weekend will bring some of the warmest temperatures of the spring so far, with highs in the 70s Saturday and the mid-60s Sunday, forecasters said.

After an overnight with patchy frost for some Long Island lawns, Friday will feature ample sunshine and a high close to 60. It will also be dry and gusty, with winds whipping up to 26 mph through Saturday, making brushfires more likely. 

National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wunsch said due to high pressure and the dry and gusty conditions, fires can spread easily, making it important to exercise caution when handling potential ignition sources ranging from machinery to cigarettes and matches.

The patchy frost overnight Thursday could last as long as 8 a.m. Friday morning for the pine barrens and the Twin Forks, the weather service said. Wunsch said the advisory is "for people to know that any frost could damage any kind of plants," whether it is potted plants or crops.

But the mercury will rise Friday, and Saturday could see it go as high as the mid to high 70s in Suffolk County. In Nassau County and areas closer to New York City, it may go as high as 80.

The service also forecasts a slight chance of showers Saturday night, with sunshine Sunday and a high of 65.

Wunsch said if the warm temperatures tempt you to visit the beach, be aware that the water is still cold.

"The ocean is still in the upper 40s and low 50s," Wunsch said. "People should be aware that even if the air temperature gets warm and hot, the surrounding ocean temperature is still very cold."