Long Island Weather: Foot Of Snow Possible In Midweek Storm

LONG ISLAND, NY — A major winter storm is going to pummel Long Island Wednesday into Thursday. That much is clear. How much snow we will be digging out from isn't clear, but early estimates are certainly on the high end.

The National Weather Service hasn't issued detailed predictions yet, but in a forecast discussion Sunday night, forecasters at the service's New York office said "confidence in significant snowfall amounts over 6 inches continues to increase" with the potential for over a foot of snow in some areas.

The hour-by-hour forecast Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning predicts about 13 inches of snow accumulating on the island. The bulk of the snow is expected after sunset Wednesday and before sunrise Thursday.

The Weather Channel is predicting 1-3 inches of snow during the day Wednesday, another 8-12 inches Wednesday night and about an inch more Thursday.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph late Wednesday and early Thursday will cause "considerable blowing and drifting of snow and at least near-blizzard conditions," the weather service says.

Of course, a lot can change in the forecast with the storm still three days away.

Confidence in the exact track of the storm system remains low and this will have a big impact on which areas see the worst conditions, AccuWeather says.

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This is the latest Long Island forecast:

Sunday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 8 mph.

Monday- Rain. High near 37. North wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night- Rain likely before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 30. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday- Sunny, with a high near 40. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph.

Tuesday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.

Wednesday- Snow likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 35. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday Night- Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 29. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday- Snow likely before 10am, then a chance of snow showers between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night- Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Friday- Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.