Travel Ban In Effect Across Suffolk, Nassau Counties During Peak Of 'Potentially Life-Threatening' Blizzard

LONG ISLAND, NY — Both Suffolk and Nassau Counties are under a travel ban during the peak hours of a blizzard set to sock Long Island with 2 feet of snow and up to 70 mile per hour winds in some areas.

On Sunday, Suffolk County Executive Romaine issued a travel ban for Suffolk County beginning 9 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday. The ban does not apply to essential workers and plow operators.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also instituted a travel ban. "The latest projection from the National Weather Service has determined a strong probability that a blizzard will create accumulations over 18 inches and potentially up to 2 feet of snow, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour," he said. "This is a major blizzard that will bring major accumulations and dangerous conditions. All non-essential vehicles should be off public roads and highways from 9 p.m. Sunday night until 9 a.m. Monday morning. Essential vehicles shall include all emergency vehicles, as well as those operated by municipal workers, doctors, nurses, hospital workers, and other essential personnel. All other vehicles are banned from operating on public roadways."

Residents are encouraged to stay home and off roadways. If anyone must go out, they should drive slowly and carefully, officials said.

"Be sure to charge your cell phones and have emergency supplies ready, including flashlights, first aid kits, and food and water," officials said. "Once conditions become safer, check on neighbors and family members to see if they need help. Assist local response efforts by shoveling near and around hydrants and moving cars into driveways so snowplows can clear streets."

In the event of a power outage or downed power lines, residents are asked to call PSEG Long Island’s 24-houreElectric service number at 800-490-0075. To allow emergency personnel to be most effective, do not tie up emergency phone lines with non-emergency calls.

A 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 NWS added.

"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.