Nor’easter Takes Aim At Suffolk

A slow-moving nor’easter is taking aim at Long Island this weekend, threatening Suffolk County with soaking rain, pounding surf, powerful winds and coastal flooding that could turn parts of the shoreline into a mess.

The National Weather Service says a coastal storm will bring rain and gusty winds beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend, with some of the biggest impacts expected across eastern Long Island.

Rain could become particularly intense on the East End.

Forecast models cited by the Weather Service show the potential for more than two inches of rain on the South Fork in just six hours Saturday night. The Weather Prediction Center has placed central and eastern Long Island under an excessive-rainfall risk as the storm develops.

News 12 forecasts one to two inches of rain in Suffolk County Sunday, including pockets of heavy rain, while the Weather Prediction Center says the broader Northeast storm could dump two to four inches, with isolated five-inch totals in the hardest-hit areas.

And it won't just be wet.

The Weather Service forecast for southwest Suffolk calls for north winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph Friday night and Saturday. Saturated ground combined with wind could bring down isolated trees and power lines.

Along the coast, trouble is already brewing.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect for southwest Suffolk from Thursday evening through Friday morning, with up to a half-foot of water above ground level possible in vulnerable waterfront areas. Additional advisories are likely for Friday evening and Saturday morning, when moderate coastal flooding cannot be ruled out.

Dangerous surf is another threat. The Weather Service projects waves around 10 feet Friday along southwestern Suffolk beaches, while a high rip-current risk remains in effect.

Bottom line: Suffolk could be staring at a windy, waterlogged weekend, with the East End potentially taking the hardest hit.