Blizzard Warning Issued for Long Island; Suffolk County Braces for Wind, Floods

The National Weather Service office in Upton has issued a blizzard warning covering Long Island, including northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast Suffolk, New York City and southern coastal Connecticut, effective 6 a.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday, as a rapidly intensifying nor’easter threatens heavy, wet snow and strong coastal winds. NBC New York reiterated the 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday window.

Federal and private forecasters say the storm could bury parts of Long Island. Lohud and AccuWeather project 12–18 inches for parts of Long Island and the Cape, while the New York Times reported 13 to 18 inches or more for New York City, Long Island and coastal Connecticut. CBS and the Associated Press noted that 1 to 2 feet of snow was possible in many areas and warned of multi-inch accumulations across the Northeast.

The storm’s timing and intensity are clear: forecasters expect the system to arrive late Sunday, with the heaviest snowfall Sunday night and high snowfall rates. Multiple outlets warned of snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour, with higher rates over 2 inches per hour possible. The National Weather Service warned the storm would “make travel dangerous, if not impossible. Scattered downed tree limbs and power outages are possible due to snow load and strong winds.”

Wind will compound the hazard. CBS/AP and the New York Times say sustained winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected, while Lohud and NBC New York forecast gusts in the 30 to 50 mph range and note the blizzard criteria include gusts up to 55 mph. NBC New York explained, “A blizzard warning is issued when snow accumulations are expected between 13 and 18 inches and winds are expected to gust as high as 55 mph. This drops visibility below 1/4 mile due to blowing snow, and whiteout conditions are expected.”

Coastal communities face storm surge, erosion and flooding risk. The New York Times reported flood watches beginning Sunday evening for parts of coastal New Jersey and New York and warned that “low-lying buildings near the waterfront were at risk of moderate flooding” and that “cars parked near the waterfront would probably be submerged.” Lohud cited AccuWeather in highlighting higher waves and beach erosion from Delmarva to the Cape and Islands; CBS/AP also warned flooding was possible in parts of New York and New Jersey.

Travel and infrastructure impacts are expected to be severe. AccuWeather told Lohud to expect “more than 2,500 flight cancellations across the Northeast between Sunday and Monday.” News outlets cited potential delays on highways, rail lines and at airports, and the New York Times noted some rural areas already had patches of black ice on Saturday that could worsen travel conditions. AccuWeather director of forecasting operations Carl Erickson warned, “The storm will be incredibly disruptive and dangerous. Blowing snow and near-zero visibility will make travel nearly impossible during the worst of the storm.”

Local officials are moving to respond. NBC New York said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was holding a briefing Saturday; residents should monitor updates from NWS Upton and municipal briefings for town-specific advisories. Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman advised that people should expect forecasts to change, saying, “Don't be surprised if more winter storm watches are converted to blizzard warnings in the upcoming hours.”

Power outages from wet snow and strong winds pose public health risks, especially for residents who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, home oxygen or heat-dependent care. With “scattered downed tree limbs and power outages” possible, Suffolk County health centers, long-term care providers and emergency management agencies will need contingency plans for fuel, sheltering and backup power. The NWS increased its assessment of severity after earlier, milder projections, and CBS/AP noted that “more than 14 million people are currently under blizzard warnings” nationwide, with this the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years.

Expect forecasts to be updated through Sunday; the blizzard-warning window remains 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Follow NWS Upton and local municipal briefings for the latest county-level maps, flood-watch polygons and any emergency instructions that affect Suffolk County.