Blizzard Watch Issued For Long Island as Snow Total Predictions Rise

A blizzard watch has been issued for Long Island as a powerful nor’easter approaches that could drop a foot of snow across most of the island.

The blizzard watch will be in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. A blizzard watch means there is a potential for falling and/or blowing snow with strong winds and extremely poor visibilities.

Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches are now expected for almost all of Long Island. Parts of eastern Suffolk may see 4-8 inches as rain could mix with snow on the East End, the NWS says.

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Wind gusts of up to 60 mph on Long Island may lead blizzard conditions and whiteout conditions on the roadways. Travel will be “extremely dangerous” and strong winds may down power lines and tree limbs. Secondary and tertiary roads may become impassable, the blizzard watch says.

The timeline of the storm has shifted and things should remain dry through Friday. Snow is expected to develop across New York City and Long Island by 7 a.m. Saturday. The worst conditions are expected Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Winter storm and blizzard watches have been issued for large portions of the mid-Atlantic. The storm is expected to clobber the Washington, D.C. area with up to 2 feet of snow.

“Crews may not be able to keep up with the storm in portions of Virginia, West Virginia, southern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware and Maryland,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity said. “Some communities could be isolated for a few days.”

Things shouldn’t get that bad for Long Island, but we will still be dealing with a serious storm. High tide on Saturday morning and night will bring the potential for moderate flooding, significant beach erosion and localized wash overs along Atlantic Ocean beaches.

The snow is expected to wind down fairly quickly on Sunday morning and taper off from west to east by Sunday afternoon, the NWS says.