Snow is expected to accumulate at a rate of multiple inches per hour this morning and afternoon before a likely changeover to sleet. Stay with Newsday’s coverage on the latest travel impacts, snow totals and closings.
19 minutes ago
By Newsday Staff
Problems on the LIRR
The Long Island Rail Road was experiencing problems on several of its branches early Sunday.
The 5:44 a.m. train from Port Washington to Penn Station was canceled due to equipment trouble, the LIRR reported on its website.
Reduced service was reported on the Babylon Branch, where trains that normally run between Grand Central and Massapequa will not run.
Greenport service will not operate on Sunday because of the storm, the LIRR reported.
1 minutes ago
By Newsday Staff
Multiple LI libraries, houses of worship closed
Dozens of libraries and houses of worship announced closures Sunday, ahead of the storm that was forecast to drop 6 inches or more on Long Island.
For a full list of closures, click here.
10:11 a.m.
By Newsday Staff
Forecasters lower snow and sleet totals
The National Weather Service issued an alert just before 4 a.m. saying a major winter storm will impact the region into Monday and lowering estimated snow and sleet totals down slightly for Long Island and New York City.
In the alert, forecasters said 6 to 10 inches were expected to fall across Long Island, heavily at times, due to “anticipated mixing with and changing to sleet late Sunday afternoon and evening.
The winter storm warning expiration time was updated to 1 p.m. Monday, forecasters said.
The storm will bring a “major disruption to transportation and daily life” with heavy snowfall, a wintry mix, and near whiteout conditions, forecasters said.
36 minutes ago
By Newsday Staff
Storm begins with flurries
The storm’s first appearance was as snow flurries that began in Nassau County just after 5:30 a.m., with Republic Airport in East Farmingdale reporting 14 degrees and northeast winds of 7 mph.
Long Island MacArthur Airport reported overcast skies at 13 degrees and northeast winds of 6 mph.
59 minutes ago
By Newsday Staff
Main roads clear prior to storm
Prior to the snow’s arrival Sunday morning, Long Island’s main thoroughfares, including the Long Island Expressway and the Northern and Southern state parkways were moving at speed with light traffic, according to 511NY.
A crash on Route 25 in Huntington closed all lanes between Round Swamp Road and Sheppard Lane, 511NY reported. Details of the crash were unavailable.
Forecasters said heavy snow was expected Sunday morning into the afternoon, transitioning to a heavy wintry mix that could bring whiteout conditions across the region. Forecasters said “lingering significant travel impacts” were likely into Monday.
4:02 a.m.
By Newsday Staff
‘All in all, it’s going to be a mess out there’
A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
Credit: Newsday
NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen gave this updated forecast Saturday night, saying the snow will arrive after sunrise and dump 6 to 8 inches on the Island before it begins to mix with sleet.
Sleet to cause ‘quite a mess,’ NWS says, but PSEG prepared for ice
Snow is expected to accumulate at a rate of multiple inches per hour Sunday morning and afternoon before a likely changeover to sleet. Credit: National Weather Service
Long Island is bracing for up to a foot of snow Sunday, although a switchover to sleet and freezing rain could reduce totals, forecasters say.
The National Weather Service is predicting 8 to 12 inches of snowfall for Long Island, with the lowest accumulation on the South Shore.
“When the sleet takes over, accumulations won’t be as high, but sleet is going to be quite a mess,” said Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Upton.
Freezing rain could result into up to 1/10th of an inch of ice Sunday night into Monday morning, which Ramsey said could lead to scattered downed tree branches and power outages.
Elizabeth Flagler, a spokeswoman for PSEG Long Island, said the amount of potential ice buildup is not a concern for the utility.
“We will continue to monitor the weather and adjust resources if needed,” Flagler wrote in an email Saturday. “We have personnel ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible.”
Read the full forecast here.
3:23 a.m.
By Alek Lewis and Joseph Ostapiuk
73% of JFK flights, 89% of LaGuardia flights canceled
Snow is expected to accumulate at a rate of multiple inches per hour Sunday morning and afternoon before a likely changeover to sleet. Credit: National Weather Service
As of around 10 p.m. Saturday, 89% of airline flights out of LaGuardia airport and 73% of flights out of Kennedy Airport scheduled for Sunday are cancelled, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.
In total, 9,402 flights within, into or out of the country Sunday have been canceled; 2,175 flights have been delayed.
More than 4,000 flights across the country Saturday are canceled, and roughly 4,000 more are delayed.
The Port Authority, which manages Kennedy and LaGuardia, said in a Friday news release it had activated a “comprehensive package of storm preparedness protocols” by putting in place snow removal equipment, airport staff and a centralized emergency operations center to coordinate “real-time operations” at each airport. The Port Authority urges travelers to check with airlines for updated information on flights.
Travel restrictions on NY roads ahead of ‘treacherous’ conditions
New York State is implementing new travel restrictions ahead of the storm.
Effective at 12 a.m., commercial vehicles will be restricted to only traveling in the right lane on all state roads, according to a press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
Gov. Hochul activated the New York National Guard to assist on Long Island, New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. State DOT crews and additional equipment, including service technicians, operators and snow blowers, are also being deployed on Long Island from upstate regions, the release said.
Early voting for the Feb. 3 special elections in New York City is suspended on Sunday and Monday, state officials announced.
In a statement, Hochul said bitter cold and heavy snow can create “treacherous” conditions.
“There is no shortage of risks to being outside or traveling during the next few days, so I am urging everyone to be smart and stay home, stay warm, and stay safe,” the governor said in the statement.
Jan. 24 at 5:21 p.m.
Long Island school closings and delays
Explore our listings of delays and closures to see what places of learning or programs are affected.
Click here to see the latest closings and delays.
Jan. 24 at 5:07 p.m.
By Robert Brodsky
‘We are ready,’ say LI and state officials as region braces for ‘significant’ winter storm
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman stands with Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jen DeSena and other local officials on Friday morning to provide an update and share tips with residents ahead of an approaching winter storm. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
Long Island officials insist they’re ready for the “significant” storm — scheduled to wallop the region beginning Sunday morning — that could drop about a foot of snow, create near-whiteout conditions on roadways and potentially leave some residents without power or heat.
Read more here.
Jan. 24 at 5:01 p.m.
By Brianne Ledda
Tips for drivers to prep for winter storm
Timothy Sokol, owner of Elite Auto Parts in Lindenhurst, with a snow blower. Credit: Rick Kopstein
Public safety officials and auto safety experts warned Long Island motorists to prepare ahead of a weekend snowstorm.
Here’s what Long Island drivers need to know to stay safe before, during and after the storm.
Jan. 24 at 4:57 p.m.
By Newsday Staff
Storm preparedness: Phone numbers you need to know in an emergency
What you need to know in an emergency. Credit: Paul Mazza
Here are some important phone numbers to keep you updated during the storm on everything from transit delays to power outages.
Read more here.
