Severe thunderstorm watch for western Nassau until 10 p.m. as cold front sweeps through Long Island

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for western Nassau and New York City until 10 p.m.

A cold front will be bringing unsettled weather to Long Island in the early evening, while dropping the temperatures down to the mid-40s. The storms, which will move eastward as the evening wears on, could bring high winds, up to 70 mph in some places, lightning and hail, the weather service said.

"There will be some isolated straight line wind gusts along a squall line," said NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen. "These storms should mostly weaken as they approach Long Island."

A small craft advisory remains in effect for all South Shore waters east to Shinnecock Bay through 6 p.m. Friday. That watch is in effect from Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon, the weather service said.

Long Islanders can expect overnight temperatures to drop into the 40s Friday into Saturday, while daytime temperatures Saturday are expected to be in the low 50s.

Overnight temperatures Saturday into Sunday are forecast to be in the upper 30s.

What follows Sunday into next week should be brisk fall weather, with daytime highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, and overnight temperatures in the 40s.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.