Long Island weather forecast: Cold, rain moving in

Long Island was forecast to have its coldest day of the season so far on Friday, with highs in the lower 50s and lows in the mid-30s, following a storm bringing in northern air.

A storm moving through the Midwest will arrive on Long Island on Thursday, bringing rain and potential thunderstorms from the afternoon into evening, Newsday meteorologist Geoff Bansen said.

While it was too early to predict the amount of expected rainfall, especially as the storm is "disorganized" or not well-formed, Bansen said there was a low risk of flooding.

Highs will reach the upper 50s to lower 60s on Thursday while lows will drop to the 40s.

The storm will bring in cold air from the north, causing temperatures to significantly drop 5 to 10 degrees, or to below-average temperatures on Friday.

Friday will see highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s while lows at night will be in the mid-to-upper 30s, or close to freezing, National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Wunsch said.

Average temperatures for Islip this time of year, for example, are a high of 54 and low of 38.

The combination of cold temperatures and precipitation creates a slim chance for a snow-rain mix Friday night into early Saturday.

"By that point, we're getting close to freezing," Wunsch said. "That's why there's a kind of uncertainty as to whether or not there would be some flakes."

But forecasters said Long Island is less likely to see flakes compared to more inland areas like Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, since Long Island is a coastal area.

"It's most likely going to be warm enough to rain the entire time," Wunsch said.

"The showers could end as mixed with a couple of wet snowflakes, but that's it," Bansen said.

Wind gusts up to 30 mph also may be possible on Friday.

Cold conditions will linger into the weekend as Long Island dries out. 

Bansen said Saturday will see highs in the upper 40s and Sunday in the lower 50s.

"We've been in the 60s almost every day, so it's certainly going to be a bit of a colder stretch here," Bansen said.