Community Corner

Tropical Storm Andrea Could Slam Long Island With Heavy Rain On Friday

The Long Island area will only see remnants of the tropical storm by the time it arrives Friday, experts say.

There's a storm a'brewin' -- and it could bring heavy rains to Long Island by Friday.

According to Peter Wichrowski, meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Upton, the first storm of the 2013 hurricane season, named  Tropical Storm Andrea, formed Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico.

But by the time she reaches Long Island, Andrea is expected to have downgraded and bring just heavy rains.

Tropical Storm Andrea is expected to move across the southeastern United States, then pass to the south of Long Island -- bringing heavy rains and flooding on Friday.

"At this point, the forecast for Long Island is post-tropical," Wichrowski said. "It will have lost its tropical character by the time it arrives -- and we will see only remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea by the time it gets close to New York."

Increasing clouds are expected on Thursday, with temperatures in the 70s. Friday's soggy skies will bring temps in the upper 60s.

Light rain is expected to begin Thursday night and become steady, continuing through Friday.

Residents across Long Island should remember umbrellas on Friday -- the weather system is expected to pass just south of Long Island Friday night, but rain is expected all day Friday, increasing as the day progresses. Heavy rain, from two to three inches, is forecast for Friday night.

"With the heavy rain, we could see flooding," Wichrowski said. 

And, he added, the aim is "to keep an eye on the storm;" if the forecast shifts a bit further north, the Long Island area could see more winds and less rain. "It just depends, at this point," he said. "Right now, it looks as though we're just going to get heavy rain."

The most significant rain is expected to move out of the area by late Friday night. Saturday could see lingering showers. "But it will be a much drier day on Saturday," Wichrowski said.

The hurricane season officially began on June 1.


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