Long Island weather: 3 inches of snow possible Wednesday; difficult morning commute expected

Long Islanders were facing a difficult morning commute after the National Weather Service issued a revised forecast saying parts of Long Island could see 3 inches of snow Wednesday.

The service had predicted less than an inch of snow, and in some cases less than half an inch. Forecasters now believe some areas of Long Island could see as much as 3 inches of snow on Wednesday. Many areas will get 1 to 2 inches.

"Snow currently moving through the area may come down briefly heavy at times, reducing visibility to one-quarter mile or less," the special statement said.

It warned that "when encountering the heavy snow, slow down, use headlights, and leave extra room between you and the car in front of you."

Just after 8:30 a.m., Republic Airport in East Farmingdale was reporting 32 degrees with snow and fog. Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip reported 32 degrees with light snow, fog and mist. At Kennedy Airport it was 31 degrees with light snow.

The weather service said accumulations are expected to be heavier from eastern Nassau and throughout Suffolk compared with western Nassau and much of New York City. Temperatures hovering around 32 degrees were causing snow to stick in many places — though temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 30s as the day goes on.

"It’s just coming in a little stronger than expected," meteorologist Joe Pollina said of the latest barrage. "It’s looking like Suffolk, eastern Nassau right now will see more than you will to the west."

The weather service said the new snowfall should start tapering off around 10 a.m. 

After the snow, high temperatures are expected to rise into the 40s, but wind chill values will register between 20 and 30 degrees, with winds gusting as high as 24 mph.

After a partly cloudy Wednesday night, there's a 20% chance of snow after 1 p.m. Thursday before giving way to partly sunny skies, with a high near 37. There's a slight chance that snow could return Thursday night into Friday morning. Again, accumulations will be light, forecasters said.

Relief from all of this is expected Friday, when mostly sunny skies appear with a high near 37. Saturday will be mostly sunny with a high near 44, forecasters said.

Sunday will be partly sunny, with a high approaching 40, the service said.

Wednesday's snow comes as Long Island continues its recovery from this week's historic and deadly blizzard.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.