Summer warmth continues into early week before storms and cooler temperatures arrive on Long Island mid to late week
Temperatures surge into the 70s on Monday and 80s on Tuesday before a cold front arrives on Wednesday with showers, thunderstorms, and a return to seasonable weather later this week.
May 17, 2026, 6:26 PM
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Alert: Air quality alert is in effect for all of Long Island until 11 p.m.
FORECAST
Overnight
Mild conditions continue across Long Island with partly cloudy skies and a strengthening south to southwest breeze. A brief sprinkle or isolated shower cannot be ruled out overnight, but most areas stay dry. South Shore communities will continue to feel noticeably cooler because of the chilly ocean water temperatures.
Monday
A weak backdoor cold front slips through, bringing slightly cooler temperatures compared to the weekend, especially along the coast. Even with the cooldown, it will still feel warm for mid-May with a mix of clouds and sunshine. Areas farther inland across western and central Long Island will hold onto the warmest temperatures, while south shore beaches stay significantly cooler thanks to the onshore wind.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy and mild overnight with a light breeze continuing. Humidity levels slowly begin to increase ahead of the next round of heat building into the region.
Tuesday
Summer-like warmth ramps up once again with temperatures climbing well into the 80s for much of Long Island. South Shore beach communities will remain cooler because of the ocean breeze, but inland areas could push close to 90. It will still feel fairly comfortable overall, although humidity levels begin creeping upward later in the day.
Tuesday Night
Warm and somewhat muggy overnight with partly cloudy skies and a gusty southwest breeze at times. Most areas remain dry, though a stray shower or thunderstorm cannot be completely ruled out well inland.
Wednesday
Another very warm day is expected, though temperatures may end up a little cooler than earlier forecasts because a cold front is now expected to arrive faster. Sunshine during the morning will give way to increasing clouds through the afternoon, followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms as the front moves through. Some downpours and gusty winds are possible, but the overall severe weather threat appears limited as of Sunday evening.
Thursday
The cold front pushes offshore, bringing temperatures back closer to normal for this time of year. Skies gradually improve with lower humidity returning, although a leftover shower cannot be ruled out early in the day.
Late Week and Next Weekend
Seasonable temperatures continue into Friday with generally quieter weather. There are early signs that another chance of rain could develop sometime next weekend as the stalled front nearby begins drifting back northward.
Marine and Beach Safety
While boating weather remains generally favorable, ocean water temperatures are still only in the low 50s. Anyone heading out on boats, kayaks, paddleboards, or other small craft should use extreme caution since cold water can quickly cause hypothermia and physical incapacitation if someone unexpectedly falls in.
