Snow storm slams Bellmore-Merrick

Like all of Long Island, Bellmore-Merrick will be under a blizzard warning from Monday afternoon at 1 p.m. through midnight on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

At 10:15 a.m. on Monday, the Bellmore-Merrick Central District cancelled all classes for Tuesday, as well as all after-school and evening activities for Monday night. District officials said, however, that Regents exams scheduled for Monday afternoon would take place as planned.

The Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore and North Merrick elementary school districts cancelled all after-school and evening activities and Tuesday classes as well.

The service was predicting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall amounts of two to four inches per hour were expected this evening.

Winds will be out of the north at 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts from 45 to 55 mph. Visibility will be less than a quarter-mile. Temperatures will be in the 20s.

At 9 a.m. on Monday, the temperature was 24 degrees Fahrenheit, with snow falling steadily across Bellmore-Merrick.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm will bring “life-threatening conditions” and “extremely dangerous travel.” Officials were warning motorists to stay off the roads unless necessary.

“A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities will lead to whiteout conditions,” the service said in its 3:30 a.m. brief on Monday.

At 8 a.m., Sunrise Highway was backed up through Bellmore and Merrick, as snow fell, causing slick roads and diminished visibility. Trains were still running on time, though the trestles were not as full as usual. Roads were still clear, but that was expected to change as the day wears on.

More storm photos to follow. See this page for storm updates.