Snow headed to Long Island: 5 to 9 inches expected

For the second time in two weeks snow is headed to Long Island as the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Long Island. As much as 5 to 9 inches of snow is in the forecast.

Snow is expected to begin falling on Friday around 4 p.m. with the storm continuing through Saturday around 1 p.m. The heaviest snowfall is anticipated at 8 p.m.

Temperatures will range in the 20s to 34 degrees between Friday and Saturday.

“Stay safe and stay home unless there is an emergency. If you must go out, drive carefully, slow down, and stay alert,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a news release "Nassau County is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents during extreme weather conditions.”

The county's Office of Emergency Management is fully staffed and prepared to handle the snowfall. Over 70 plows and 100 pieces of equipment will be operating to keep Nassau roads and highways clear. 

Residents are encouraged to check on their neighbors and family members once conditions become safer. They can also assist local response efforts by shoveling near and around hydrants and moving cars into driveways so snowplows can clear streets.

Long Island Rail Road 

Regularly scheduled LIRR service is planned for the weekend, MTA officials said. Crews will be out across the service territory working to keep trains moving with equipment on hand to be able to respond quickly as conditions warrant. Crews will also proactively de-ice station walkways and platforms. 

De-icing trains will be running to keep third rails clear of snow and ice, while crews are strategically positioned throughout the system helping to keep switches clear and operable. In addition, switch heaters will be activated to prevent track switches from freezing using natural gas burners and electrical heating elements. Waiting rooms at stations will be open for the duration of the storm. 

In the event of a power outage or downed power lines, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour eectric service number at (800) 490-0075. To allow emergency personnel to be most effective, do not tie up emergency phone lines with non-emergency calls.

“PSEG Long Island prepared to respond to any outages this holiday storm system may bring,” said Michael Sullivan, vice president of Electric Operations in a news release . “We continue to monitor the weather and have performed system and logistic checks to ensure any customers who may be affected will have their power restored safely and as quickly as possible.”

Customers are asked to note the important storm safety tips below and to visitpsegliny.com/safetyandreliability/stormsafety for additional storm preparation information.

 Customer Safety:

• Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Please stay as far away as possible from them, and do not drive over or stand near them. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at (800) 490-0075 or call 911.
• Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of slush or standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
• Never use a generator or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.

 Stay connected:

• Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.

• Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app or our website at psegliny.com/outages. 

• To report an outage or downed wire, you can also call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at (800) 490-0075. 
• Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
• Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at mypowermap.psegliny.com/.  

To keep safe during the storm, when going outside be careful when walking on slippery sidewalks and while driving.

Be aware of frostbite and hypothermia.

Bring pets and service animals inside.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Don’t use your stove or oven to heat your home.

Never leave a space heater unattended.

Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet.