Another winter storm heading to Long Island

The bad news: Long Island will continue to be soaked by the chilly rain and snow mix until at least Friday.

The good news is that the forecast says Nassau and especially Suffolk will probably avoid the latest snow storm that's slated to hit region Wednesday night going into Thursday.

As a low pressure area moves into the coast, it is expected to dump at least half a foot of snow in the city and much more in the upper Hudson Valley and New Jersey.

The National Weather Service expects that the warm ocean air will make the precipitation fall as rain on most of Long Island as it becomes stationary off New York City on Friday.

Having said that, don't put away the snow shovels or snowblowers just yet.

The forecasters have hedged their bets by adding that a small deviation of of the storm track could really pummel Long Island with the white stuff, especially on Friday.

If that happens, it would be the third time this month that Long Island gets hit with a substantial snowfall, said Pollina.

Heavy rain moving through the region Wednesday morning has caused the National Weather Service to issue a coastal flood advisory for all of Nassau County and the northwest portion of Suffolk County. The rain -- heavy at times -- slowed traffic during the morning commute and caused puddling on some roadways, including the Long Island Expressway.

Earlier, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Tuesday evening for central New York through New England. It predicts heavy, wet snow with 6 to 20 inches accumulating by Wednesday night.

The second, more powerful storm Thursday into Friday is expected to bring more snow accompanied by dangerous winds.