Severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. for Suffolk, Nassau counties

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday for all of Long Island, the National Weather Service said.

A severe thunderstorm warning for western Suffolk and Nassau County ended at 4:45 p.m.

An alert on the weather service website warned Long Islanders to “be prepared” in the event a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. A warning indicates “imminent danger” and protective measures are needed.

The latest thunderstorm watch also includes New York City and Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Approaching storms could lead to flash flooding in areas, the weather service said, with damaging wind gusts of 58-69 mph possible.

Large diameter hail also is possible in some areas, the weather service said.

The overall watch area also spills over into several nearby states, including New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, the weather service said.

In its Long Island forecast, the weather service said “showers and thunderstorms are likely before midnight,” with a slight chance of showers overnight into Wednesday.