Powerful Winds To Lash Long Island Before Weekend Winter Storm

Wind gusts up to 50 mph may cause power outages on Long Island Thursday, the National Weather Service says. A wind advisory will be in effect from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if you are operating a high-profile vehicle, and secure outdoor objects, the advisory says.

The high temperature will be near 50 degrees Thursday, but then some seriously cold air moves in Friday. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be in single digits Friday morning and the actual temperature will likely top out in the high-20s, the weather service says.

A winter storm will then move into the region Saturday. Snow should begin falling by the early afternoon. It will likely mix with rain later in the afternoon. Less than an inch of snow accumulation is currently predicted for the island.

Arctic high pressure builds toward the region after the storm and prolonged period of below-normal temperatures is expected Sunday into the beginning of next week, the weather service says.

The full forecast:

Wednesday Night- A 50 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m. Increasing clouds, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph after midnight.

Thursday- Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Windy, with a southwest wind 11 to 16 mph becoming northwest 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 47 mph.

Thursday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. Blustery, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

Friday- Sunny, with a high near 28. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. North wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 18. North wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light after midnight.

Saturday- Snow likely before 2 p.m., then rain and snow likely between 2 p.m. and 4p.m., then rain after 4 p.m. High near 40. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night- Rain before 5 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Low around 33. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Sunday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy.

Sunday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.