Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For Long Island

UPDATE 2 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect for Long Island until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorms may strike Long Island Wednesday, mainly during the afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service says.

The main threat will be damaging winds. There's also a hail threat in the best organized storms. There's a chance of thunderstorms all day on the island, but the NWS says storms will be most likely from about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"If we get downpours going by tomorrow morning and break out quickly into sunshine afterwards then get set for a rough evening of weather," Joe Cioffi, a meteorologist for WPIX-TV and FiOS1 News, wrote on his website Tuesday night. "If it takes longer for sunshine to break out on Wednesday that will cut down on the heating and should cut down on the severity of the storms."

High temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday will be near 90 degrees. A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Nassau County where the highest heat indices are expected. Things cool off considerably Friday and through the weekend.

The full forecast:

Wednesday- Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 97. South wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night- A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 6 to 14 mph.

Thursday- A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 7 to 9 mph.

Thursday Night- A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday- A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 7 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Saturday- Sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

Sunday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.