Winter storm Long Island: Snow, sleet and rain today, strong winds on Sunday

Snowy, wet weekend weather will give way to mostly clear skies Monday before more winter weather hits Long Island toward the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to climb to the mid-50s Sunday, but with them bring high winds and rare February thunderstorms in the afternoon, Newsday meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen said.

"There's a possibility of damaging wind gusts over 50 mph," he said.

The weather service also has issued a "high wind watch" for Sunday.

Von Ohlen warned that the high winds and rain through Monday could down trees and power lines.

Presidents' Day will see very cold temperatures return to the area with the possibility of coastal storms, he said.

Commuter traffic at the beginning of the week should be lighter because of the holiday, federal offices, courts, post offices, banks and the stock market will be closed.

Winds could affect flights into Long Island MacArthur Airport for those returning from a three-day weekend Monday night.

On Saturday the total snowfall across the Island was forecast to reach 1 to 2 inches late Saturday afternoon, with temperatures hovering around freezing before it shifted to rain into midmorning Sunday.

The amount of snow, as well as possible ice accumulation, would depend on the timing of the precipitation transition to plain rain, the weather service said.

The mercury is not expected to rise above freezing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to forecasters.

There could be more snow in the forecast for Thursday, with some meteorologists predicting 2½ inches to blanket the Island.

However, if the low pressure system pushes farther east it may bring most of the precipitation with it, according to the weather service.

Friday will be sunny, but temperatures will still stay below freezing to end the week.