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Nor’Easter Bringing Strong Winds, Rain to Long Island

Rain

A nor’easter meandering passed the region is forecast to bring heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and strong wind gusts that may cause power outages on Long Island through Friday, experts say.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a wind advisory due to gusts up to 50 mph, coastal flood warning due to high tides causing flooding in low-lying areas, and hazardous weather outlook for much of Nassau and Suffolk counties as the storm impacts the area.

“The rain is expected to taper off later tonight and into Friday as the storm will begin to gradually move to the east,” Upton-based NWS meteorologists said in a statement. “The winds will also begin to decrease into Friday.”

Overall, an additional inch to an inch and a half is expected east of the New York City metro, the agency said.

The coastal flood warning is in effect from 5 p.m. Thursday through midnight Friday and a coastal flood watch continues through Friday morning.

“This evening, expect widespread flooding of vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline, with two to three feet of inundation above ground level,” NWS said in its flood statement. “This will result in numerous road closures and cause widespread flooding of low-lying property including parking lots, parks, lawns and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront. Vehicles parked in vulnerable areas near the waterfront will likely become flooded. Flooding will also extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays.”

In addition, the combination of elevated water levels and large breaking waves will cause beach flooding and erosion on the oceanfront, the agency said.

As for the wind advisory in effect through 6 p.m. Thursday, north winds will be about 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.

“Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines,” NWS said. “Scattered power outages are expected.”

Once the storm pushes further away into the weekend, there will be clouds lingering along with some breaks of sun. Temperatures after averaging below normal through Friday, with then climb closer to normal with mainly dry conditions returning to the region to begin the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday is forecast to be partly sunny with temps in the 60s.