Thursday was the coolest day this week for Long Island, with daytime highs in the mid-60s for most of Nassau and Suffolk counties. You should plan on needing a coat early Friday morning with temperatures starting off in the 40s to low 50s at best. It is going to be another great weather day on Friday, with a mainly sunny sky by the afternoon and high temperatures near 71 degrees. The normal average high temperature is 69 degrees.

There were no significant changes with the local drought monitor according to the update that came in on Thursday morning. That said, Long Island could definitely use some rain and the drier-than-normal vegetation means that fires can spark a bit more easily than usual. A statewide burn ban is currently in effect. This time of year, many Long Islanders want to have those fire pits going in the evenings - but it is not as safe to do right now due to the recent dry conditions. Fires can spark more easily and spread more easily on windier days.

A return to warmer weather arrives this weekend. High temperatures will be running close to 10 degrees above normal starting on Saturday and lasting through Tuesday of next week. That stretch will feature mostly sunshine and high temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s.

If you currently have any outdoor plans next Wednesday, that is the one day rain is expected at this time over the next 10 days, ahead of cooler weather that arrives starting next Thursday.

OVERNIGHT: Partly cloudy and chilly with lows in the 40s to low 50s.

FRIDAY: Sun and some passing clouds in the morning. Mostly sunny into the afternoon. A little warmer with high temperatures around 71 degrees. Lows near 54 degrees.

SATURDAY: Sunny and warmer with highs around 78 degrees. Lows near 56 degrees.

SUNDAY: Another beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and high temperatures around 78 degrees. Lows near 59 degrees.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny and warm with high temperatures around 77 degrees. Lows near 62 degrees.

TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Highs around 78 degrees. Lows near 62 degrees.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with periods of rain. Highs around 74 degrees. Lows near 58 degrees.

THURSDAY: A few morning showers. Then, developing sunshine. Cooler with highs around 65 degrees. Lows near 48 degrees.