The winter thaw that has taken hold of Long Island over the last month is expected to continue thanks to an “early spring-like pattern” that has Long Islanders dreaming of long walks in the sand amid crashing waves.
The unusually warm weather has produced a half-dozen 50-plus temperature days on the Island, including 16 such days greater than 40 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s Upton office. Readings taken in New York City indicate that there’s been 15 days with above normal temperatures there, three of which that were greater or equal to 60 degrees, NWS said.
Of the last six days on the Island, five have been above 50, and one day even reached the mid-60s—and it’s not even spring, let alone March.
Forecasters are attributing the unusual February warm-up to “an early spring-like weather pattern.”
And there’s good news for those who can’t wait to put winter behind them: the trend will continue into next week.
Temperatures over the next five days will range from 44 degrees to 55, forecasters said.
Friday’s forecast calls for a high near 58 with areas of fog in the evening, plus a very manageable low of 49. A high of 56 is expected for Saturday, but there’s also a chance of thunderstorms heading into Sunday and wind gusts of 30 mph. Strong gusts could hang around for most of the day Sunday, which will feature a high of 44.
Next week is also looking up as well, with forecasters calling for sunny skies Monday and temperatures in the low-50s Tuesday and Wednesday.
And it’s hard to think that just three weeks ago Long Islanders were clearing away more than a foot of snow courtesy of the first blizzard of 2017.
For those counting down the days, spring begins March 20.
