Southold Town Prepares For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, Closures, How To Prepare

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski has declared a state of emergency, set to begin Saturday night in advance of Sunday's major snowstorm.

According to Matt Wunsch, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Upton, snow is expected to begin early Sunday morning and intensify very progressively throughout the day, with 1 to 2 inches of snowfall per hour expected Sunday afternoon. Moderate to potentially heavy snow will continue into the evening, he said, with widespread accumulation of 8 to 12 inches — and up to 15 inches in some spots.

In areas near the coast, snow could turn to sleet Sunday night, leading to a coating of ice on the snow, since temperatures are not expected to rise above freezing, he said.

"The Town of Southold is expected to experience severe weather conditions (including, but not limited to: heavy snowfall, high winds, coastal flooding, icing, and related impacts) beginning on or about Sunday, January 25, 2026, that have, or imminently will, cause widespread danger to life and property, interruption of essential services, and pose a hazard to public health and safety," Krupski' proclamation declaring the state of emergency said.

"These conditions are likely to result in road closures, compromised utility services, accumulation of snow and ice, and other threats that exceed the town's normal response capacity," the order continued.

The state of emergency will go into effect on Saturday at 9 p.m. and remain in effect until Tuesday at 5 a.m., unless earlier terminated or extended in writing.

In addition, Krupski said the town's department of public waste will be closed to the public as of 12 a.m. on Sunday — and all non-essential town offices will be closed and services suspended on Monday.

Southold Town Highway Superintendent Dan Goodwin told Patch that crews had been out early this week maintaining equipment used in the most recent weather event, testing plow blades and chains on equipment. He added that heavier snow removal equipment, not used since a storm in January, 2022, had been brought out on the road and tested.

Sand deliveries were received and additional salt was on the way. Staffers had met with the town's Office of Emergency Management Friday morning, he said, and routes were being determined Friday afternoon.

"We're going to be in good shape," he said.