Storms, Then Big Heat Wave Leading Into July 4 On Long Island

The heat and humidity will arrive on Friday and stick around for awhile as temps top 90 degrees on parts of Long Island. But before the heat and humidity takes over, there is a good chance we'll wake up early Thursday to thunderstorms and isolated downpours.

Showers are expected to break out late tonight across the island and will increase in intensity during Thursday's morning commute and thunderstorms are also expected in some areas, the National Weather Service says.

Dry weather will return Thursday night into Friday and continue through the weekend, which promises to be hot and humid.

"While heat waves are common around Independence Day, this pattern could bring the hottest early July weather for such a broad area of the Northeast since 2012," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey.

We may get some slight relief from the heat come the Fourth of July.

"For now Wednesday should be not as warm with highs mainly in the 80s across the region," the NWS says.

If you are heading to the beach tomorrow, take note that there is a high rip current risk at all ocean beaches from 8 a.m until 9 p.m. Two people, including a 10-year-old boy who became caught in a rip current, have drowned at Long Island beaches this month.

The full forecast:

Wednesday Night- A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 70. South wind 14 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday- Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night- A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph.

Friday- Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 8 mph.

Friday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 72. West wind 3 to 7 mph.

Saturday- Sunny, with a high near 91.

Saturday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday- Sunny, with a high near 91.

Sunday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Monday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Monday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Tuesday- Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Image via Shutterstock

Reporting by Patch Staff