Long Island Weather: Latest Snow Total Estimates, Storm Timeline

LONG ISLAND, NY — It's been nearly three years since Long Island saw a storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on the area. That could change by Thursday morning.

After slashing snow total estimates Tuesday, the National Weather Service jacked them back up Wednesday morning and expanded a winter storm warning to all of the island. Total snow accumulations of 8-14 inches are likely for most of the island. The East End forecast is for 4-10 inches.

The winter storm warning is in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday. There's a chance of snow starting during the afternoon, but it will likely hold off until 5-6 p.m., the weather service says. Once it does start, it will pile up quickly. Snowfall rates of 1-3 inches an hour are possible and more than a half-foot of snow will likely be on the ground on parts of the island by midnight.

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the winter storm warning says. "The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute."

Snowfall amounts could be a bit lower than forecast along the South Shore if sleet and rain mixes with snow early Thursday.

Wind gusts up to 50 mph could knock down trees and power lines, causing power outages. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also likely Wednesday night and Thursday morning.