Bomb Cyclone To Bring Wild Weather To Long Island

UPDATE 9 p.m.: Nearly 5,000 Power Outages Reported As Nor'easter Slams LI

A 'bomb cyclone' is headed to Long Island, first bringing drenching rains and then high, gusty winds to the tri-state area. The National Weather Service has issued multiple advisories for the island.

A coastal flood advisory will be in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday for the entire island. Rain will overspread the area Wednesday afternoon before tapering off around midnight. A total of 2-3 inches of rainfall is expected on the island. The heaviest rain is likely between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., the weather service says.

Two low pressure systems, one inland and one off the coast, will create the condition called bombogenesis.

"The latest indications are the storm will strengthen at a fast enough pace from Wednesday to Thursday to be classified as a bomb cyclone," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "The barometric pressure has to fall at least 24 millibars, or 0.71 inches, in 24 hours for the bomb cyclone criteria to be met."

As the system pulls away Wednesday night into Thursday, gusty winds will develop in its wake. Winds will gust to around 45 mph under a mostly cloudy sky.

A wind advisory will be in effect for the East End from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph and cause scattered power outages.

Wednesday-A chance of rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Wednesday Night- Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 51. Breezy, with an east wind 17 to 23 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday- A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.

Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 17 mph.

Friday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Saturday- Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night- Clear, with a low around 50.

Sunday- Sunny, with a high near 66.