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Long Island Snow Storm Makes ‘Icy’ Commute

Long Island Weather
The sun setting over Long Island on Tuesday. (Photo credit: Sara Fingerman)
The sun setting over Long Island on Tuesday. (Photo credit: Sara Fingerman)

Drivers who battled snow during the tail end of Tuesday’s morning commute don’t have to worry about any of the white stuff anymore, but wet roads freezing over to ice may make for dangerous conditions during the ride home, meteorologists said.

Snowfall has ended across most of Long Island with only the East End seeing a few flurries, the NWS said, adding that temperatures dropping below freezing will now be the major issue facing drivers.

“There is going to be some icy patches out there on any roadways that haven’t been treated,” said NWS meteorologist Joe Pollina.

Temperatures in some areas have already dipped below freezing. Forecasters said temperatures across the Island are expected to be in the 20s but gusty winds could lead to wind chill values into the teens.

“Slippery conditions are anticipated through the commute and tonight,” the NWS said in its hazardous weather outlook statement.

Crews have been out since the morning, plowing and treating roads with salt, officials said.

The winter storm dropped about 3 inches of snow in some areas of the LI, according to unofficial totals reported on the weather service’s website.

Forecasters predicted 3 to 5 inches of snow Tuesday.

A winter weather advisory, which was in effect through the morning and afternoon, was cancelled at 5 p.m.

As of 5 p.m. mostly all Long Island Rail Road branches were reporting good service, expect for Ronkonkoma and Oyster Bay, though the delays didn’t appear to be weather related, according to the railroad.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high near 29.