WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

A storm system is heading out of the Central Plains and moving our way overnight and into Friday. It will bring showers all day long Friday, with both commutes being impacted. But it is the morning rush that may be the biggest concern. There is a chance for freezing rain to initially fall at first, as temperatures will be in the upper 20s to mid-30s overnight. Since the ground has been dealing with cold air for days, it is running near the freezing point.

So, as the showers fall, they could create slick and icy spots on the roadways, especially the less traveled roads and walkways. The stairs going up to the LIRR platforms, the walkways down from your homes and the driveways where your cars are packed could be a little slick. So, take it easy in the beginning of that morning rush.

Through the day, the rain will come and go. Expect to be a damp and dreary one all day long, with the rain lasting to around 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be some batches of rain that could slow down the evening ride home. The traffic is usually a headache on a Friday, but factor in dismal weather, and it will be more of a chore.

Thankfully, heavy rain is not in the forecast nor gusty winds. In fact, the winds will be light, so blowing rain is not a concern. Nor is reduced visibility from the potential of heavy rain. This is much needed rain fall though. So, there is a silver lining to this dark cloud on the way. Parts of the island are still experiencing a drought, so we'll take any rain we can get especially if it is falling gradually over the course of the day. Another benefit of the rain, a free car wash. There is still lots of salty residue left all over Long Island from the snowstorm a few weeks ago. The rain on the way will help to wash a good chunk of it away.

Saturday is a drier day, with breezy winds and mostly sunny skies. Expect the temperatures to feel a little cold, but we're kicking off the month of February, so it is expected.

Sunday is Groundhog Day, and our weather will be relatively peaceful and dry. There is a chance for snow showers to flurries possible overnight as a system just skirts past the region. For the groundhog, if it sees its shadow, we get six more weeks of winter. If there is no shadow spotted, spring will be arriving early. Officially though, we are 49 days from the Vernal Equinox and spring being in full swing on Long Island.

OVERNIGHT: Increasing cloud cover, with mixed showers arriving between 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., then a change over to rain showers. Feels: Low 20s. Lows: Mid-20s to low 30s.

FRIDAY: STORM WATCH – Cloudy, with scattered mix to rain showers for the early morning hours then on-and-off rain for the rest of the day. Expect some breezy winds at times. Feels: Upper 20s to mid-30s. Highs: Upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: Upper 10s to low 20s.

SATURDAY: FEB. 1 - Mix of sun and clouds and breezy at times. Feels: Upper 20s to low 30s. Highs: Upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: Upper 10s to low 20s.

SUNDAY: GROUNDHOG DAY - Mix of sun and clouds. Feels: Low 20s to low 30s. Highs: Mid- to upper 30s. Lows: Upper 20s to low 30s.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy, with breezy winds at times. Feels: Mid-30s to mid-40s. Highs: Upper 40s. Lows: Upper 20s to low 30s.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Feels: Mid-20s to mid-30s. Highs: Upper 30s to low 40s. Lows: Mid-20s.

WEDNESDAY: Sun and clouds to cloudy skies, with a chance for late day mixed showers. Feels: Mid-20s to mid-30s. Highs: Upper 30s. Lows: Upper 20s to low 30s.

THURSDAY: WEATHER TO WATCH - Mostly cloudy, with a chance of rain showers. Highs: Mid- to upper 40s. Lows: Mid-30s.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: Mid-40s. Lows: Upper 20s to low 30s.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs: Mid- to upper 30s. Lows: Mid- to upper 20s.

SUNDAY: A chance for a mix of rain and snow showers. Highs: Upper 30s. Lows: Mid-20s.