36-Hour Nor'easter Sets Sights On Long Island

The only good news is it probably won't be snow. Everything else, though, from heavy rain to coastal flooding to potentially damaging winds is in the forecast for Long Island as a nor'easter threatens to pound the area for 36 hours straight.

As it stands, the following hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service is in effect for Long Island:

Several tidal cycles of minor to locally moderate coastal flooding and areas of dune erosion are likely from late Thursday into Saturday. There is a low probability of widespread moderate coastal flooding. There is also a low chance for strong to damaging winds during the Thursday night into Friday night time period, particularly for Long Island and southeastern Connecticut.

The bulk of the rain (up to two inches) is expected to fall from Thursday evening through Friday night.

Residents along the coast from New Jersey to Maine should prepare for potentially damaging winds blowing in from the ocean, AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda says. Winds could gust as high as 60-70 mph, according to AccuWeather, but the NWS says some of the latest forecast models are suggesting less severe wind impacts.

A full moon that will occur over Long Island at 7:51 p.m. Thursday is expected to exacerbate any flooding.

"The combination of the proximity of the full moon and strong onshore flow will lead to coastal flooding at times of high tide," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski says.

Before the storm moves in, enjoy today and tomorrow. You won't find much nicer days at the tail end end of February.

The full forecast:

Tuesday- Sunny, with a high near 52. Light and variable wind becoming west 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Wednesday Night- Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

Thursday-A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Light and variable wind becoming east 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night- Rain. Low around 39. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday- Rain. High near 43. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night- A 30 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Saturday- Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46.

Accuweather.com image