Freeze Watch Issued For Long Island

A freeze watch will be in effect on Long Island from midnight until 8 a.m. Thursday.

Temperatures will likely fall into the 20s overnight. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, the National Weather Service says.

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those with in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

Temperatures will continue to run about 10 degrees below normal for highs Friday and Saturday.

The full forecast:

Thursday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Thursday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Friday- Increasing clouds, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph.

Friday Night- Rain. Low around 43. South wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday- Rain likely, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. North wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Sunday- Increasing clouds, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night- A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Monday- Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Monday Night- Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday- Sunny, with a high near 57.