Long Island, NY - February 16, 2018 - After a week of unseasonably warm and somewhat pleasant weather, the winter season is set to once again to be unleashed upon Long Island residents, with a forecast anticipating a significant amount of snow potentially hitting the region according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a Winter Storm Watch advisory.
Starting at approximately from 10 p.m. Saturday evening and continuing until about 5 a.m. Sunday morning, the NWS forecast calls for possible heavy snowfall, with accumulations of 4 to 7 inches expected in New York City, Southern Connecticut, Northeast New Jersey, Long Island, and Rockland as well as Westchester counties.
Snow will likely accumulate across the area Saturday night, mixed with rain at the start, across portions of the south shore of Long Island. However, while the NWS is forecasting snowfall in the amount of 4 to 7 inches in the affected areas, uncertainty in storm track, amount of mixing along the coast, and location of any snow band will likely result in changes in the amount of snow forecast as time goes by.
Unlike most recent storms that typically hit Suffolk County hardest, this storm is anticipated to produce precipitation on Nassau and Suffolk in near-equal amounts, with parts of Nassau potentially getting the most in this instance. Again, however, changing weather conditions could result in alterations to the current forecast.
Local Nassau and Suffolk County government have indicated that they stand at the ready in case plows need to be assigned to clear roadways and disperse salt and sand; residents are urged to park in their driveways whenever possible Saturday evening to give work crews ample room to do their jobs, and to avoid any possible accidents involving cars parked in the street.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel; residents should plan on difficult travel conditions if the storm remains on its current course. Low visibility and difficult travel conditions are possible from Saturday evening through Sunday morning. Conditions should improve quickly Sunday morning once the storm lets up. Residents are cautioned against traveling during the storm unless absolutely necessary, and are urged to continue to monitor the latest forecasts and plan ahead if they need to travel during that time.
The current weather forecast for this weekend is as follows:
- Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows around 28°F. Wind chill values as low as 20°F. Northwest wind 8 to 18 MPH, gusting to 29 MPH.
- Saturday (Day): Partly cloudy. Highs around 40°F. Wind chill values as low as 21°F. North wind to 8 MPH, gusting to 13 MPH.
- Saturday (Night): Mostly cloudy with rain and snow. Lows around 32°F. Wind chill values as low as 25°F. Southeast wind to 8 MPH, gusting to 13 MPH. Chance of precipitation 100 percent. New snow accumulation of around 4 to 7 inches possible.
- Sunday (Day): Mostly sunny. Highs around 43°F. Wind chill values as low as 25°F. West northwest wind to 8 MPH.
- Sunday (Night): Mostly clear. Lows around 34°F. Wind chill values as low as 29°F. Southwest wind to 6 MPH.
LongIsland.com advises our readers to take precautions if traveling this weekend, and to do whatever they can to ensure that they stay safe.