A wet Easter Sunday expected after a cloudy but dry Saturday, forecasters say

Long Island can expect a wet Easter Sunday as the National Weather Service forecasts up to a half inch of rain and recurring showers throughout the day.

Meteorologist Jay Engel said the weekend begins with mostly cloudy but dry conditions through most of Saturday, but chances of showers increase by Saturday night.

"On Saturday, expect widespread 60s, except for some 50s out on the East End," Engel said, and the low 40s at night with gusty winds.

Those with outdoor Easter plans Sunday, however, may want to consider moving them inside. Rain is expected late Saturday night into Sunday, and showers will continue periodically throughout the day.

"Just have the umbrella handy on Sunday, and if you bring any plants to the mother-in-law and things like that just know it's going to get a little wet," Engel said.

Precipitation will become more widespread on the Island from midmorning to the first half of Sunday afternoon, with highs in the mid to upper 50s and a low of 41 at night.

Engel said the service predicts between a quarter and a half inch of total rainfall.

"It's not going to be like an extremely heavy rainfall, just kind of like a steady rainfall," Engel said. "By Easter evening, it will start to move away."

Engel said that the ups and downs of spring weather conditions are typical for this time of year during the transition to warmer temperatures.

"This time of year, we tend to have more volatility with temperatures, because the ocean is 40" degrees, Engel said. "When you get a wind off the water, it's a lot colder. But then when you get a wind from the west or southwest, it can warm up a lot."

Monday will be mostly dry and see highs in the lower 50s.