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Long Island is under a winter storm warning, as the biggest snowstorm in nearly three years is expected to impact the region Friday night into Saturday morning.
Snow is forecast to begin between 5 and 6 p.m. Friday from western Long Island through Montauk, and continue into late Saturday morning. The National Weather Service is calling for 5 to 9 inches of snow in Nassau County and 5 to 7 inches in Suffolk County.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., when snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible, creating reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions.
“This storm is going to be what we call ‘front-loaded,’” said Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in a video update. “That means a large portion of the accumulating snowfall is going to occur approximately in the first five to seven hours.”
The National Weather Service urged residents to use caution if traveling, recommending motorists keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicles in case of emergency.
“The location where the heaviest snow bands set up remains a bit uncertain, which will impact where the highest snowfall totals occur,” the NWS said in its 5 a.m. briefing. “Snow totals could be lower in some areas if sleet mixes in.”
If sleet becomes more prevalent or the storm tracks farther south than currently forecast, snowfall totals in some areas could be reduced to around 2 inches. However, with temperatures expected to remain in the upper 20s, forecasters say dry, powdery snow could accumulate quickly, leading to “significant travel impacts.”
The last time Long Island saw at least six inches of snow within a 24-hour period was in January 2022, when a blizzard dropped up to two feet of snow at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. While this storm is not expected to be as severe, the NWS says localized totals could exceed 10 inches, depending on where the heaviest banding develops.
“New York is no stranger to snow and cold weather, and given the Christmas holidays, it’s important to be extra prepared before getting on the road,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a release. “As always, I urge New Yorkers to monitor their local forecast, stay vigilant, drive slowly if you need to travel and have a safe holiday weekend.”
Top: Snow-blowing in Sayville during the major snow storm of February 1, 2021. (Credit: GLI file photo/Mike White)
