Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For LI Through Sunday Night: NWS

LONG ISLAND, NY — A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Long Island through Sunday evening at 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS said showers are likely, with possibly thunderstorms and damaging winds, as well.

"Some of the storms could be severe," the NWS said.

The forecast is expected to remain mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 81 degrees, and a southwest wind around 14 miles per hour, and the chance of precipitation at 70 percent, the NWS said. New rainfall amounts are expected between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except for the higher amounts possible in thunderstorms, the NWS.

Looking at Sunday night, showers and thunderstorms are forecast before midnight, and then, a slight chance of showers between midnight and 3 a.m.

"Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall," the NWS said. Low temperatures are expected at around 63 degrees, with southwest winds of 8 to 10 miles per hour, becoming northwest after midnight, the NWS. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent, with new precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible, the NWS said.

PSEG Long Island said they were prepared for the cold front and low pressure system that was forecasted to bring strong thunderstorms with gusty winds across the service area through Sunday evening.

"The weather system could bring thunderstorms with peak wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour across the service area — enough to potentially topple trees, bring down branches on wires and cause outages," PSEG Long Island said.

PSEG Long Island has personnel ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible throughout the storm, an alert said.

"PSEG Long Island is closely monitoring this line of thunderstorms and we are prepared for potential impacts on the system," said Michael Sullivan, vice president of electric operations at PSEG Long Island. "We have performed system and logistic checks, and have a full complement of personnel who will mobilize for restoration in foul weather conditions. Our crews will work to safely restore any outages as quickly as conditions will allow.

Customer safety tips from PSEG Long Island:

• Downed wires should always be considered "live." Residents are advised to stay as far away as possible from them, and not to drive over or stand near them. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour electric service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911.
• Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
• Never use a generator or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.

Stay connected:

• Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.

• Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app or the PSEG Long Island website here.
• To report an outage or downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour electric service number at 800-490-0075.
• Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
• Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways here.