STORM WATCH: Periods of rain with a few thunderstorms; be alert for heavy rain and flooding
Have the umbrella and rain boots set to go. Periods of moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms. Watch for slippery roads and falling leaves.
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Flood advisory in effect for eastern Suffolk County until 1 p.m.
We're on storm watch across Long Island this Friday as a storm system brings periods of rain, with pockets of moderate to heavy downpours and even the possibility of a spotty thunderstorm. Some of the heavier rainfall could lead to localized street flooding, especially where fallen leaves are clogging storm drains. Be especially careful traveling throughout the day, as wet leaves can make roads slippery and reduce traction, particularly when braking or turning. Ponding of water could develop quickly on highways, local streets, near intersections and in low-lying areas with poor drainage. Slow down, increase the distance between your vehicle and the car ahead, and keep your headlights on when using your windshield wipers. Watch for reduced visibility during heavier downpours and avoid driving through standing water, since it's often difficult to judge how deep it may be. Allow extra travel time for both the morning and evening commutes. Keep the umbrellas, raincoats and rain boots handy for the kids heading to and from school. Despite the wet weather, temperatures will climb into the 60s, making it feel unusually mild and muggy for early November.
Tonight, showers will gradually taper off from west to east across Long Island as the storm system begins to move away. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches across much of the Island, with locally higher amounts of 2 to 4 inches possible across eastern Suffolk County. These heavier rainfall totals could increase the threat of localized street flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage or storm drains blocked by fallen leaves. Even after the heaviest rain ends, water may continue to collect along roadways, so use caution if you're heading out Friday evening. Never attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, just 6 inches of moving water can cause a vehicle to lose control, and deeper water can carry vehicles away. If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and find another route. If it's safe to do so, clearing leaves away from storm drains can help improve drainage, but never enter a flooded street or attempt to remove a drain cover. Overnight temperatures will drop into the 50s as conditions gradually improve heading into the weekend.
Saturday will bring improving weather, although we can't completely rule out a passing shower. Expect a mixture of sunshine and clouds throughout the day, with temperatures climbing to around 60 to 65 degrees. A spotty shower could develop during the afternoon and linger into the early evening, but much of the day should be dry. If you're heading to a sporting event, running errands, enjoying a fall festival or tackling some outdoor chores, conditions will be much better than Friday. Just keep an eye on the sky and have a light jacket or umbrella handy. With all the rainfall from Friday, lawns, athletic fields, sidewalks and trails could remain wet, muddy and slippery. Be careful walking or driving over piles of wet leaves, which can hide puddles, potholes and uneven surfaces. If you're planning yard cleanup, give saturated areas some time to dry out before using lawn equipment.
Saturday night, there could be an early evening shower before skies gradually clear as we head toward Sunday morning. It will turn noticeably cooler overnight, with low temperatures dropping into the lower 40s across much of Long Island. Some of the typically colder spots, especially around the Pine Barrens, could dip into the upper 30s. If you're heading out Saturday evening, you'll want a jacket as temperatures fall. Watch for any lingering wet spots on sidewalks and roadways, particularly where fallen leaves have collected. By early Sunday morning, the rain will be gone, setting us up for a much nicer second half of the weekend.
Sunday is looking like the pick of the weekend, with mostly sunny skies, a few passing clouds and high temperatures close to 60 degrees. It should be a beautiful November day for outdoor sporting events, fall festivals, taking a walk or finishing up some yard work. With plenty of leaves now on the ground, it's a good opportunity to clean up around your property and make sure gutters and storm drains are free of debris before the next round of wet weather. Just remember to use caution on ladders and avoid working on wet or slippery surfaces. If you're traveling, conditions should be much better than Friday, with dry weather and good visibility. Overall, after a stormy and soggy end to the workweek, we're looking at a nice improvement for the weekend, with Sunday offering the best opportunity to get outside and enjoy some pleasant fall weather across Long Island.
A final Friday safety reminder: Don't let a familiar roadway give you a false sense of security. Heavy rain, clogged storm drains and fallen leaves can create unexpected flooding in places that normally stay dry. Watch for hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds, avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and never use cruise control on wet roads. If visibility becomes poor during a heavy downpour, safely pull into a parking lot or another designated stopping area until conditions improve. Stay weather aware, take your time and remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Here is the hour-by-hour projected rain for Long Island on Friday:
