Spring is officially a month away, but Long Islanders will begin to feel spring-like weather this week as temperatures rise into the 50s in much of the region, ending a week-long cold spell and a frigid start to 2025.
Those returning from mid-winter vacations in Florida and other warmer parts of the country may be bringing some of that warmth back with them — though beach weather is months away.
Expect highs in lower 50s from Tuesday through Thursday for Nassau County’s North Shore, including Glen Cove, Great Neck, Roslyn, and Port Washington. By Friday and Saturday, daily highs will dip into the upper 40s. The following week will see temperatures fall back into the upper 30s and lower 40s during the day.
Central Long Island, including Stony Brook and Islip, will see similar temperatures — though just a few degrees cooler.
Out on the East End, temperatures will be cooler in Montauk, with highs reaching the upper-40s on Tuesday through Thursday.
Looking Ahead
By mid-March, western Long Island and New York City will see high temperatures consistently in the 50s, with lows hovering just above freezing.
Frost should be in the rearview mirror by the end of March, with temperatures climbing into the 60s by early April.
What to Do About Your Plants
While the days will feel warmer this week, nighttime lows will still fall below freezing — so it’s too early to bring out frost-sensitive plants.
Long Island is in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7 — so gardeners should wait until mid to late April before planting tender annuals or moving plants outdoors after spending the winter indoors. Until then, keep frost-sensitive plants indoors or in a protected area like a greenhouse or cold frame.
A Frigid Start to the Year
Long Island saw below-average temperatures in the first seven weeks of 2025, with three significant cold waves in late January and mid-February.
The coldest stretch occurred from January 20–23 and February 18–20, with temperatures plunging nearly 17°F below normal.
These cold snaps were driven by Arctic air masses linked to a disrupted polar vortex that pushed frigid air southward. Despite brief warm spells, the season trended colder overall, albeit with limited snowfall.
A potential winter snow storm never materialized last Thursday.
Long Island Breaks Free of Polar Vortex
That polar vortex is currently anchored over the Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing deep freezes to states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
As for our region, Long Island and New York City are breaking out of the cold pattern as milder Atlantic air pushes temperatures back toward seasonal norms.
So while this week's unseasonably warm weather won't last long, the worst is behind us. Spring is just around the corner.