Long Island weather: No significant snow likely from coming coastal storm, but brutal cold continues

A coastal storm expected to skirt by Long Island this weekend will likely bring high winds, but forecasters said most of the region will probably escape significant snowfall.

"Accumulating snow potential is decreasing on Sunday with the highest chance across eastern Long Island and southeast Connecticut," the National Weather Service said in a Thursday afternoon advisory, which added that the East End would probably get between 1 and 2 inches of snow.

The storm, now over the western Atlantic, is expected to pass Long Island "well offshore," the weather service said.

Regardless of the light snowfall, the most noticeable impact will be the intense blustery conditions, the weather service's Dominic Ramunni said.

Ramunni cautioned that the exact track of the storm is still uncertain, but he said Long Island can probably expect “minor impacts at best” in terms of potential coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Increased winds will begin Saturday night and continue growing stronger throughout Sunday, with 15 mph to 25 mph gusts expected in western Long Island. The South Fork will experience the most intense winds, with gusts up to 45 mph, Ramunni said.

“You're going to feel that wind chill on Sunday afternoon,” he said. “It’s going to be brutal,” he said.

Friday will be sunny, but highs are expected to reach only into the teens and single-digit lows at night. The weekend will only see highs in the low 20s with single digits at night.

The weather service issued a cold weather advisory Thursday that will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday. 

Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski said the biggest challenge the North Fork will face will be drifting snow blown by the anticipated strong winds that will not only create poor visibility but prevent roads from staying cleared.

Emergency management officials are working on a map of areas that typically flood so that roads can be closed if necessary, he added.

Southampton Town emergency response administrator Ryan Murphy said officials have been monitoring the forecast and storm conditions.

“Adding more snow to that will prove a bit challenging, but we will manage the situation as best we can,” Murphy said in a statement. “Most of our main roads are cleared curb-to-curb at this point, so it will hopefully allow some space to push any new snow off the road still.”

The town also will closely monitor impacts to beaches and shorelines and Southampton officials remain concerned about the integrity of the vulnerable dune area along the county beach near the Shinnecock Commercial Fishing Station in Hampton Bays.

“That area has already suffered and continues to be weakened from significant coastal erosion,” Murphy said. “We are hopeful that it will withstand the storm, but we will be contacting our county partners to make sure that they are also prepared and monitoring that area.”

East Hampton Town spokesperson Patrick Derenze said emergency services like highway crews and police are ready for the upcoming system due to previous preparation and coordination from last week’s storm.

Ahead of the strong winds, crews will document beaches for potential beach erosion and will report on flooding during the storm.

Derenze said strong winds also are something the town is used to, and even though it is winter, the storm is “looking like a classic nor’easter.”