Long Island Weather: Heavy Snow to Snarl Rush Hour Commute

Just a few hours ago, the National Weather Service was predicting less an inch of snow would fall on Long Island Thursday, but my how things have changed. The weather service now says up to 5 inches could fall in Nassau County and that will likely "cause significant disruptions to the evening commute."

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Nassau until 10 p.m. Snowfall rates of an inch per hour, mainly between 3-7 p.m., are possible and winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

"A period of steady snow looks to be heavier and of longer duration than initially expected," the NWS said in a forecast discussion Thursday afternoon.

>>>>Make sure you are signed up for Patch news alerts to get email updates on the storm.

Commuters should expect a slippery trip home.

Drivers should use "extreme caution" in tough road conditions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office said.

"Early winter weather is moving through the state this week and I urge New Yorkers to be prepared and to use caution when driving due to reduced visibility and possible black ice," Cuomo said in a statement.