Long Island weather: Milder, sunny days ahead, but forecasters eying possible Monday snowfall
A school bus navigates heavy snow along Poplar Street in Central Islip Wednesday morning. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
The calendar may soon be turning to March, but the forecast remains the same as it has all winter for Long Island: more snow potentially still to come.
In the wake of last weekend's nor'easter that slammed Long Island with an unprecedented 31 inches of snow — and after an additional 2 to 3 inches of powder dropped across parts of the Island on Wednesday morning — the start of next week's workweek calls for a chance of more of the same, according to the National Weather Service in Upton.
The forecast, while still several days out, calls for the possibility of more snow on Monday or Tuesday — when temperatures are expected to plummet and highs are not expected to break the 20s — from an area of low pressure trekking across the middle part of the country, said weather service meteorologist Brian Ciemnecki.
He declined to speculate on accumulation totals, but he said there's a possibility of it becoming a significant weather event, even as current models have the bulk of the precipitation staying south of the Island.
"There continues to be spread in the global models at this time frame, which is not too unexpected given that it`s still 5-6 days out. The area remains on the northern periphery of the system, for most guidance, which suggests an all snow event during the day on Monday into Tuesday," the Wednesday night weather service forecast discussion stated, adding that one projection gave a "30% chance of more than 2 [inches] of snowfall Monday into Tuesday, so this will need to be watched over the next few days."
On Wednesday, forecasters had originally predicted just a half inch of snow on Long Island. But between 2 and 3 inches of fresh snow was ultimately reported in Suffolk and Nassau counties, including Lindenhurst, Farmingdale, Syosset, Centereach, Miller Place, East Northport, Islip and Stony Brook.
The heaviest snow was reported at 3.1 inches in Sayville and North Smithtown, according to the weather service.
LIRR commuters make their way to the train at Central Islip station as heavy snow returns on Wednesday. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
The cold frontal system that arrived over Long Island overnight was stronger than expected Wednesday, said weather service meteorologist Joe Pollina.
Rising temperatures in the 40s, though, and the sun helped melt the new powder away Wednesday and highs well above freezing are predicted for the rest of the week. However long it takes for all the snow to melt is anyone's guess.
Thursday's forecast is calling for a potential "dusting" of snow overnight, Ciemnecki said, with partly sunny conditions.
"We may not see anything at all, but if do, it will be very light," he said of the snow.
Friday will see mostly sunny skies and a high near 37. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 44, forecasters said, and Sunday will be partly sunny, with a high approaching 40.
Kennedy Airport reported more than 450 delays and almost 50 cancellations Wednesday. LaGuardia had 44 cancellations and more than 540 flight delays, according to FlightAware.com, which tracks airline delays. There was one cancellation at MacArthur Airport and 11 delays there, the site reported.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 24: State wrestling championships preview Newsday's Gregg Sarra previews the state wrestling championships, and Jonathan Ruban has a look at the Baldwin boys and girls basketball teams, plus the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 24: State wrestling championships preview Newsday's Gregg Sarra previews the state wrestling championships, and Jonathan Ruban has a look at the Baldwin boys and girls basketball teams, plus the plays of the week.
