WEATHER: Storm Will Bring Heavy Rain, High Winds to Long Island

It may not be another round of snow, but Long Island is about to feel the impact of a winter storm beginning Wednesday into Thursday.

A large low-pressure storm, extending from Canada to Texas, will bring high winds, heavy rains and above-average sea heights to our area throughout the day.

The storm, a nor'easter riding in-land along the east coast, is expected to dump more than 2 inches of rain on the area starting Wednesday afternoon. The storm's precipitation will reach its peak during Wednesday night, when much of the storm's power will center over Long Island.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Watch and Coastal Flood Watch as high winds and higher than normal wave heights are also expected with this nor'easter. Winds will start breezy Wednesday morning before bringing gusts to 40 mph during the late afternoon.

The evening will be the worst of the destructive gusts, with sustained winds between 31 to 36 mph and gusting to as high as 55 or 60 mph. Winds should die down as the storm pulls away on Thursday.

The storm surge behind this nor'easter, being center inland, will not be major, but those along the coast, especially those affected and damaged by Hurricane Sandy should keep an eye out. The National Weather Service expects the water level to rise some 2 to 4 feet above normal, perhaps as high as 5 feet in localized areas.

As per the norm with winter nor'easters, the combination of heavy rain and high winds is a recipe for power outages. Make sure batteries, flashlights and, since it will get cooler in the evening, blankets are readily available.

Story from Scott P. Moore.