Rebuilding The Bronx
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
Taking Action
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Summer heat gives way to midweek storms and a sharp cooldown on Long Island

Warm temperatures continue through Wednesday before thunderstorms and much cooler weather arrive for the holiday weekend.

Michael Latella

May 18, 2026, 5:38 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

WHAT TO KNOW

Warm and increasingly humid weather settles across Long Island Monday night as summerlike heat continues through midweek. Tuesday and Wednesday will feel much warmer than normal, though ocean breezes may keep some shoreline communities slightly cooler than inland areas. Even so, many spots mid-island and in the North Shore could climb well into the 80s and near 90 by Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday will bring the greatest chance for active weather across Long Island. A cold front moving through during the day and evening could spark scattered showers and thunderstorms, some capable of producing strong wind gusts, heavy downpours, and dangerous lightning. Travel delays and brief flooding in poor drainage areas are possible if stronger storms develop.

Much cooler air arrives across Long Island behind the front by Thursday. Temperatures will tumble nearly 15 to 20 degrees compared to Wednesday, with highs dropping back into the upper 60s and low 70s. The cooler weather is expected to last into the holiday weekend, along with increasing chances for occasional showers as a more unsettled pattern develops.

Anyone heading to the beaches, bays, or ocean waters this week should use extreme caution. Water temperatures remain in the 50s around Long Island, cold enough to quickly cause hypothermia if someone falls in unexpectedly. Boaters, paddleboarders, kayakers, and swimmers should be especially careful despite the warm air temperatures.

CX_Headlines_4 (24).png
ML_6AM_Planner - LI.png
F_P2_PM_1 (6).png
MARINE FORECAST - RIGHT (1).png
LI_10DAY_PM_MASTER (17).png

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices