Long Island Weather Forecast: Winter Storm Warnings Issued

UPDATE: Hour-By-Hour Four'easter Forecast For Long Island

A fourth nor'easter of the month (yes, the month) will wallop Long Island on the second day of spring Wednesday. Winter storm warnings have been issued, there's the potential for more than a foot of snow on the island and travel may be nearly impossible during the Wednesday evening commute, the National Weather Service says.

Here's the latest on storm warnings/watches:

• A winter storm warning will be in effect all day Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday for Nassau County, which will likely get hit the hardest. Total snow accumulations of 11 to 15 inches and light ice accumulations are expected.
• A winter storm warning will be in effect all day Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday for western Suffolk County. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 10 inches, with localized amounts up to 13 inches, and light ice accumulations are expected.
• A winter storm watch will be in effect all day Wednesday until 8 a.m. Thursday for eastern Suffolk. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches, with localized amounts up to 9 inches, and light ice accumulations are possible.

There will be a chance of rain on the island starting Tuesday evening, but steadier precipitation in the form of snow is expected to develop around midnight from south to north.

"Areas from about NYC eastward will also need to be monitored for a potential blizzard warning with strong winds around 20-30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected," the NWS says.

The heaviest snow–up to 1-2 inches per hour–is likely to fall Wednesday afternoon and evening. Strong winds could down trees and power lines, leading to power outages.

The snow should end by early Thursday, but another storm bringing even more snow may arrive for the second half of the weekend, the NWS says.

Photo by Daniela Galletta/East Northport