Long Island weather: Temps drop and about 2 inches of snow replaces rain

Tuesday's warm, moist air will be replaced overnight with a cold front Wednesday expected to change rain showers to about two inches of snow, the National Weather Service said.

The service has issued a winter weather advisory starting at 3 a.m. Wednesday for Long Island and the region and lasting until 11 a.m. But in its Tuesday evening storm briefing, the service said the duration of the snow is now expected to be less than what had been forecast earlier in the week.

Nevertheless, the service warned: "Hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning commute due to a combination of slippery road conditions and reduced visibilities." And there is a "reasonable worst case scenario" of up to four inches of snow north and east of New York City.

Temperatures will drop into the low 20s overnight, the service said.

Thursday should offer sunny skies with a high just above freezing. The clouds return Friday, when the thermometer will rise to near 47 degrees, the weather service said.

Late night Friday revelers might need umbrellas and hoods. Showers are quite likely after midnight, and they probably will stick around until at least noon on Saturday.

The weather service predicted the first day of the weekend should be unusually warm at 54 degrees.

Sunday and Monday look at least partly sunny, with the thermometer hitting nearly 50 degrees on Sunday, and then sliding to 43 the following day.