Long Island Will Soon Be Colder Than Russia, Alaska

UPDATE: A snow squall warning is in effect for Nassau County until 4 p.m.

Parts of Alaska and Russia will be warmer than Long Island on Thursday as an Arctic cold front sweeps across the region. The mercury will dip to a low around 5 degrees early Thursday morning while wind chills will make it feel as cold as 15 below zero, the National Weather Service says.

But first we have to make it through potential snow squalls Wednesday afternoon that could cause problems on the roadways.

"While not every location will receive snow, those that do will experience a rapid drop in visibility and a quick coating of accumulation," the NWS says.

On Thursday, Anchorage, Alaska will feel balmy by comparison with a temperature of 18 degrees and a wind chill of 13 when Long Island is at its coldest, according to the weather service. Even Moscow will be above freezing at 35 degrees, AccuWeather says.

Temperatures on the island will rise to a high near 31 degrees around midday Wednesday before plummeting into into the teens by the early evening and into the single digits by 10 p.m., the weather service's forecast shows. There's also a chance of snow squalls in the afternoon.

The island will be under a wind chill advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. Thursday, and the mercury won't get into the double digits again until around midday Thursday, the weather service says.

If you heading outside, make sure to bundle up — exposed skin could get frostbite in the brutal cold if precautions aren't taken, the weather service warns.

Here's a closer look at the frigid forecast, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Wednesday- Snow showers likely after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 31. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 5. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 14 to 19 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph.

Thursday- Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 16. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. West wind 14 to 17 mph.

Thursday Night- Mostly clear, with a low around 7. Wind chill values between -5 and zero. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 22. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Friday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Saturday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

Saturday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Written by Noah Manskar

(Lead image: Iron Pier Beach in Jamesport earlier this month. Photo by Dara Buckley)