Oceanside, Island Park reportedly getting 6 to 10 inches of snow; schools shut down

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For the fourth time in March, the National Weather Service was predicting that a nor’easter would sweep into the Long Island region, this time bringing with it freezing temperatures and heavy snow.

Snow was expected to begin falling between 6:30 and 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The storm was to start as a mix of snow and sleet and become all snow as temperatures dropped during the day. By 1 p.m., the temperature was predicted to fall to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill values between 15 and 20 degrees. Gusts up to 35 mph were possible.

"A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the entire area," the Oceanside Fire Department said on Facebook, advising residents to move their cars off the street for plows and emergency vehicles to pass freely. They also asked residents to clear the snow from fire hydrants near their homes, and to stay home unless and off the roads if they don't have anywhere to be. "Hopefully we will get lucky and it won’t be as bad as predicted but we will be prepared as always for whatever Mother Nature throws our way."

Oceanside, Island Park and the rest of Nassau County could see six to ten inches of snow during the day, and more at night. Heavier snow was expected in Suffolk County, according to the NWS.

Additionally, as of 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Oceanside and Island Park school districts and private schools had closed ahead of Wednesday's storm.

"Happy to have the day off and even happier to have my kids home with me," New York City teacher and Oceanside resident Shari Bernstein Weiss Kinda told the Herald on Facebook. She's over the snow though, and looking forward to warmer weather. "I want my garden to start blooming!"

This story will be updated as the storm progresses.