Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for Long Island

Thunderstorms packing damaging winds and heavy rain are possible across Long Island Thursday.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire island. The potential for strong to severe thunderstorms will come this afternoon and evening as a cold front slowly moves through the area, the NWS says.

The main threat will be damaging winds, but there is also a low chance for flash flooding. On the bright side for Long Islanders, the NWS says the best chance for stronger storms will be in New York City and areas north and west of the region.

Any storms that do hit are expected to arrive after noon. There is about a 30 percent of chance of thunderstorms from noon through 11 p.m. on the island Thursday, according to NWS forecasts.

High temperatures on Thursday will soar into the mid-80s across much of the area. The mercury could hit 90 in New York City Thursday afternoon. The South Shore of Long Island will see temperatures top out closer to 80. Looking ahead, Friday and Saturday will also bring a chance a showers and thunderstorms and temperatures in the 80s.

An air quality health advisory is effect from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday for Long Island and New York City. The air quality index will exceed 100, which can pose dangers to sensitive groups.

WHEN POLLUTION LEVELS ARE ELEVATED...THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RECOMMENDS THAT INDIVIDUALS CONSIDER LIMITING STRENUOUS OUTDOOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS. PEOPLE WHO MAY BE ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE TO THE EFFECTS OF ELEVATED LEVELS OF POLLUTANTS INCLUDE THE VERY YOUNG, AND THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS ASTHMA OR HEART DISEASE. THOSE WITH SYMPTOMS SHOULD CONSIDER CONSULTING THEIR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN.