Snowfall Hits Long Island; Slick Roads Cause Major Delays at LaGuardia and JFK Airports

Snowfall struck Long Island late Saturday, delivering at least eight inches in several areas across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The storm created slick road conditions and prompted officials to urge caution while triggering extensive delays at local airports.

By late Sunday afternoon, the major part of the snowstorm had moved offshore with only scattered flurries remaining. The National Weather Service forecasted a cold start to Monday with highs near 29 degrees and mostly clear skies until early afternoon. A 20% chance of snow showers is expected later in the day, accompanied by a low temperature near 21 degrees, raising concerns for black ice during the morning commute.

Impact on Roads and Safety Warnings
Local authorities warned motorists about hazardous travel conditions due to icy and slippery roads. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized the need for caution, advising residents to avoid nonessential travel. “If you have to go out, take it slow and plan for longer commutes to stay safe,” Blakeman stated. Towns like Oyster Bay deployed over 150 plows to clear streets and improve safety.

Airport Delays and Transportation Updates
Airports experienced significant delays due to snow removal efforts and runway treatments. At Kennedy Airport, arrival delays averaged 48 minutes late Sunday afternoon with departures running about 28 minutes behind schedule. LaGuardia faced arrival delays averaging over an hour, with departures delayed between 16 and 30 minutes. Despite this, the Long Island Rail Road maintained mostly on-time service, helping to ease commuter challenges.

Snow Totals and Weather Conditions
The storm’s snow accumulations were heaviest north of Farmingdale, with Commack reporting up to 8.5 inches. Other notable totals included 8.3 inches in Dix Hills and 8.2 inches in East Northport. The combination of snow and freezing fog affected airports such as Republic and Long Island MacArthur. Gusty winds between 30 to 40 mph are expected, posing risks of falling tree branches and localized power outages. Wind chill values early Monday morning could feel as low as 8 degrees below zero.

Daytime temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing Monday, preserving snow cover through midweek. Temperatures will rise slightly on Tuesday and improve later with highs reaching into the 40s by Wednesday and near 50 by Thursday under partly sunny skies, according to meteorologist Joe Pollina.

Several Long Island school districts implemented delayed openings to protect students during hazardous travel conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and exercise prudence while navigating winter weather impacts across the region.