LI Winter Storm: Here's A Timeline Of What To Expect

LONG ISLAND, NY — With much of the northeast region digging out their snow shovels in advance of the first blast of winter weather, Long Island's forecast for the weekend remains much the same, with rain and heavy wind expected.

According to Bill Goodman, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, the storm is expected to begin after dark Saturday, with rain briefly mixed with snow.

Overnight, mostly rain is expected; that rain could change to snow midday on Sunday as the cold air wraps around the departing storm, he said. Long Island could see some accumulation, mostly in the form of dusting on grass, rather than roads, Goodman said.

Overall, about one inch of rain is expected.

Temperatures on Saturday should range in the lower 40s, milder than what was originally forecast, Goodman said. Lows Saturday night are expected to be in the mid 30s, and the upper 30s on the East End. Daytime highs on Sunday are also expected to be in the high 30s, dropping throughout the day to the mid 30s and to about 25 to 30 degrees on Sunday night, Goodman said.

"Wind is going to be a problem," Goodman said. "Especially out east, where gusts of 40 to 45 miles per hour might be seen overnight Saturday."

Most of Long Island should see wind of 15 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts of 30 miles per hour, he added.

A significant storm is also expected to hit Long Island late Tuesday night into Wednesday, Goodman said, bringing heavy rain, wind, and coastal floodings; a total of 2 to 2.5 inches of rain is forecast, he said.

Because much of Long Island has sandy soil, poor drainage leads to flooding, he said.

The strongest winds are expected after midnight Tuesday and into the first half of Wednesday. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour are expected on the South Shore and East End, with gusts out east as high as 60 miles per hour, and about 45 to 55 miles per hour on the rest of Long Island, Goodman said.

A high tide early Wednesday could lead to beach erosion and coastal flooding, he added.