LI Blizzard Watch: Snow Totals Increase Again — 24 Inches Expected With Up To 70 MPH Winds Set To Slam Area

LONG ISLAND, NY — Sunday's countdown has begun to a blizzard that is expected to slam Long Island with up to 24 inches of snow and wind gusts as high as 70 miles per hour in some locations, the National Weather Service said.

The blizzard warning will go into effect at 1 p.m. Sunday and last through 6 p.m. Monday, the NWS said, with snow accumulations between 16 and 24 inches and whiteout conditions.

According to Bryan Ramsey, meteorologist with the NWS Office in Upton, here's how the timeline of the storm is expected to unfold: A light snow or light rain/snow mix is expected to begin Sunday morning and continue intermittently into the afternoon, he said. Temperatures, above freezing, will mean that Long Island will see almost no impact or accumulation Sunday morning, Ramsey said.

But that will change later in the afternoon, Ramsey said.

"When the snow intensity picks up and the temperatures plummet in the late afternoon into evening, closer to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.; we're really going to see the accumulation start to rack up — into the evening and overnight, that's when it's a disaster," he said.

Some areas on the East End, anywhere east of Riverhead and out towards Montauk and Orient, could see 70 mile per hour wind gusts, Ramsey said.

A coastal flood watch has been upgraded to encompass the entirety of Long Island, with inundations of three feet above ground expected, he said.

Visibility may drop below a quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow, the NWS said. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.

"The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages," the NWS said. "Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning and evening commutes."

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only, the NWS said. "A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle," the NWS said.

Governor Kathy Hochul has also declared a State of Emergency for Long Island and other areas across New York.

According to the NWS, the blizzard warning — the first in the area since 2022 — was issued for Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.

“New Yorkers are no strangers to snow and cold weather, but these blizzard-like conditions approaching New York City, Long Island and the lower Mid-Hudson will bring heavy snow and strong winds, with the storm forecasted to impact much of our state,” Hochul said in a written statement. “As with every weather event, our state agencies are equipped with the resources they need to respond to the developing storm and keep everyone informed. I encourage everyone to take action, stay vigilant and always monitor your local forecast for real-time updates.”

Snowfall rates should be about 1 to 2 inches an hour, with higher rates of 2-plus inches an hour possible late Sunday into Monday morning, the NWS said.

The last blizzard warning on Long Island was in January, 2022, Ramsey said. "A lot of things have to come together for this warning to be issued; it's on the rare side," he said.

In order for a blizzard warning to be issued, he said, visibility must be at or less than a quarter mile, with winds gusting at least 35 mph.