Long Island weather: Winds pick up today as nor'easter nears

Long Island will experience the start of gusty conditions Wednesday as an expected weekend nor’easter continues to form offshore, forecasters said.

Gusts as high as 45 mph are predicted to develop over the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, according to a National Weather Service briefing.

A projection map showed Montauk receiving the highest wind gusts on Long Island of up to 36 mph, while other areas throughout Nassau and Suffolk see gusts in the lower 30s and upper 20s.

Wind gusts will increase as the weekend gets closer, with a predicted 39 mph for Montauk on Thursday and 47 mph Friday. Offshore wind gusts will reach as high as 60 mph Friday.

Newsday meteorologist Geoff Bansen said while it is still too early to confirm an official weather model, the nor'easter looks like it will remain offshore with its center coming about as close as Block Island. 

A storm watch is in effect over ocean waters Thursday night and Friday, as waves are expected to reach as high as between 7 and 10 feet, the service said.

Small craft advisories are in effect on the non-ocean waters through Thursday.

Long Island will see rainy conditions Thursday into the weekend as the storm travels closer to land.

The service said showers could cause widespread minor to locally moderate coastal flooding and peak during high tides on Friday into Saturday.

Breezy conditions will continue through Sunday before the storm leaves the area, allowing for clear skies on Monday.