Oceanside Schools to close Feb. 9 due to forecast

Due to expected heavy snowfall and winds, the Oceanside School District announced it would be closed on Feb. 9.

"Since the forecast is so clear, we are notifying you now that all Oceanside Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 9, 2017," the Oceanside School District posted on its website. "All after-school and evening activities will also be cancelled. Please stay safe!"

All of Long Island is under a Winter Storm Watch from the late night on Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Thursday evening, Feb. 9, as a low-pressure front moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration says to expect heavy snow that could fall at one to two inches per hour, with visibility at less than a quarter-mile to a half-mile.

Expect winds out of the north to blow at 15 to 20 miles per hour, with the strongest gusts up to 35 mph.

Near-blizzard conditions are possible along the coastline, with snow blowing and drifting. Temperatures will range in the high 20s to low 30s.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is likely to see eight to 12 inches of snow. The South Shore area just south of Farmingdale could receive six to eight inches.

Snowfall amounts are uncertain, however, according to the National Weather Service. Expect a minimum of three inches.

Throughout the Town of Hempstead, crews are pretreating streets south of Sunrise with brine, a snow-melting solution. They will apply rock salt to the rest of the town, have plows ready and are clearing storm drains. The town has 400 pieces of equipment and 4,500 tons of salt ready to treat roads and parking lots.

At a news conference at the Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department, Supervisor Anthony Santino said that the storm will likely reach its peak during the morning rush hour. He advised people to avoid driving as much as possible and said that he expects most area schools to be closed. "If you can, stay home with your kids and binge-watch their favorite Netflix show," he said.

Nassau County’s Department of Public Works has begun pre-treating roads with brine to prevent black ice from forming.

“Nassau County is helping to ensure residents have a safe commute by brining main County roadways, bridges and overpasses to prevent black ice,” said County Executive Ed Mangano. “DPW is at the ready to plow and salt county roadways. Our Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring the storm and has put assets in place to assist residents should the need arise.”