Long Island forecast: Elevated wildfire risk for NYC region, but chance of rain Thursday

The National Weather Service has warned of an elevated wildfire risk for Long Island and the entire New York region Wednesday.

The weather service encouraged the public to use caution when handling machinery, cigarettes and matches as fires can spread quickly under these conditions. The warning includes all of Long Island, New York City and north to upstate Orange and Putnam counties. 

Wednesday morning, service meteorologist Dominic Ramunni said pre-existing dry conditions, combined with low humidity values between 20 and 30% from a dry air mass and wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph, create ideal circumstances for a risk for fire spread. Wednesday afternoon, however, wind gusts decreased to about 14 mph in many parts of Long Island.

The service recorded only 2 inches of rain for the month of April, while the normal should be 4 inches, following a dry winter.

Wednesday’s risk is at the lowest tier in fire risk warnings, compared to a red flag warning, which is more urgent.

The weather service still urged caution. “If people are lighting fires, make sure they're extinguished properly,” Ramunni said. “That’s all you need sometimes, that one or two embers.”

Long Island will have a likely chance of widespread rainfall later in the week, with a 50% chance of showers Thursday night and a 30% chance Friday.

“I would say that is more beneficial than anything else,” Ramunni said