Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Long Island

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Nassau County and western Suffolk County. It's in effect until 7:15 p.m.

LONG ISLAND, NY — A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday on Long Island. Damaging wind gusts and quarter-sized hail are possible, the National Weather Service says.

The best chance of storms will be from about 6-9 p.m., according to the hour-by-hour forecast.

A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.

Severe storms will also be possible Wednesday and then attention will turn to Elsa, currently a tropical storm about 55 miles west of Key West and forecast to make landfall along the north Florida Gulf coast on Wednesday.

The remnants of Elsa could drench the island in up to 3 inches of rain late Thursday through Friday, the weather service says. Winds are not expected to be a big concern in the area.

Regardless of Elsa`s track, it is likely that strong rip currents will occur along with potential
coastal impacts later this week.

The full forecast:

Tuesday Afternoon- A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a steady temperature around 83. Southwest wind around 17 mph.

Tuesday Night- - Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday- Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night- A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday- A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph.

Thursday Night- Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday- Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night- Showers likely before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Sunday- Partly sunny, with a high near 81.