It’s not spring yet. Long Island could get hit with up to five inches of snow as part of a winter storm that’s expected to develop late Thursday night and continue through the treacherous morning commute.
The National Weather Service’s Upton office on Thursday issued a winter weather advisory from 10 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Friday. Forecasters said 3 to 5 inches of snow are possible before the storm ends. There’s currently an 80-percent chance of precipitation.
The weather service warns that travel could be hazardous and slippery due to accumulation. Temperatures will be around the freezing mark and visibility is expected to be reduced to a half-mile at times, forecasters said.
“A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow…sleet…or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties,” the weather service said. “Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility…and use caution while driving.”
The forecast calls for a mix of rain and snow before it turns to all snow early Friday morning.
While Long Island will be bathed in sunshine during the day Thursday, with temperatures in the 50s, the mercury should drop to near freezing at night. After the storm, Friday will be partly cloudy with a high of 38. The evening will be much cooler, with temperatures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits.
By Saturday the winter storm will be long gone but near freezing temperatures are expected to remain through the weekend.
Returning to Thursday’s sunny conditions on Long Island, the weather service issued a special warning about an “enhanced threat of fire” due to the combination of strong winds and low humidity “given near-record dry fuel levels for the time of year.”
