High winds, intense rain coming to Long Island Wednesday into Thursday

A powerful coastal storm descending on the region Tuesday night and intensifying Wednesday is forecast to bring widespread moderate coastal flooding on Long Island, the National Weather Service said.

Long Island is forecast to receive 2 to 3 inches of rain, with some areas getting more, Tuesday overnight, Wednesday and early Thursday. Showers are expected to be heaviest Wednesday afternoon through evening, said Joe Pollina, weather service meteorologist.

“Western portions of Long Island seem to be a little higher and 2½ inches, whereas Eastern Long Island is almost closer to 2 inches,” he said.

Tuesday evening, the weather service put out a storm advisory warning of winds higher than previously forecast. “Strong to damaging wind threat has increased,” the service said, warning of gusts up to 60 mph along the coast. “High Wind watch and Wind advisories have been issued,” for Wednesday into Wednesday night.

Along with the higher gusts, sustained winds of 25 mph to 40 mph are expected Wednesday.

The combination of intense rainfall and Wednesday evening’s high tide could result in widespread moderate coastal flooding in areas with poor drainage and low-lying areas, including parts of western Long Island Sound as well as the South Shore bays. Minor flooding also is possible across New York Harbor, mainly late Wednesday night.

The storm could cause “scattered areas of dune erosion and localized overwashes,” said the weather service, which issued a coastal flood warning from 2 p.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday.

The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory for Wednesday and Thursday due to the weather.