Drenching Rain, Thunderstorms Set to Wash Away Summer on Long Island

The record-breaking September heat is about to get washed away by a round of showers and thunderstorms that have the potential to bring some flooding to the area.

A hazardous weather outlook is in effect for all of Long Island with the National Weather Service warning that storms on Thursday will be capable of producing heavy rain.

“There is a chance for urban and poor drainage flooding during this timeframe,” the outlook says.

The rain, much needed after a significant dry spell, is expected to begin late Wednesday night.

The rain will come thanks to an approaching cold front, which will cool off the stifling heat of the past couple of days. On Tuesday, record daily highs were set across the region, including at MacArthur Airport- 91 degrees, LaGuardia Airport- 95 degrees and Central Park- 97 degrees.

“The ridge in the jet stream responsible for the warm start to September in the East will finally break down late in the week, which will allow cooler and less humid air to move in for the upcoming weekend,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said.

It will feel like fall this weekend with temperatures in the 70s.

The full Long Island forecast from the NWS:

• Tonight- A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 72. South wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Thursday- Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 75. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Thursday Night- Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 70. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
• Friday- A chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind 13 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Check out the extended local forecast on the homepage of your local Patch.

Photo: AccuWeather.com