Long Island Expecting Severe Thunderstorms Friday Afternoon, Nassau Under Tornado Watch

By Mark Osborne

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: The National Weather Service has now issued a Tornado Watch for New York City and Nassau County. All areas are under the watch until 10 p.m. Friday night.

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The Fourth of July weekend will be starting with a bang — courtesy of thunderstorms, that is.

Long Island, and much of the Northeast, is expecting severe thunderstorms to roll through Friday night, and possibly put a crimp in some plans for fireworks.

The Weather Channel says to expect high winds and hail starting mid-afternoon before the line of storms clears up around 11 p.m.

There is some hope for Friday night plans, as the weather should be at its worst from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Today's high is 80 degrees, which The Weather Channel points out will save us from the more-damaging storms that often come with July heat.

Here's what the weather will be like the rest of the weekend:

• Fourth of July Weekend Weather Forecast