With a potentially major snowstorm on Long Island’s doorstep, Southold schools and businesses are closing tomorrow in anticipation of dangerous travel conditions, 55 mile per hour wind gusts and possible power outages.
The storm, which is forecast to bring between eight and 12 inches of snow to the East End, will be accompanied by high winds and snowfall rates of two to four inches per hour at its peak, according to the National Weather Service forecast. A winter storm warning is in effect for the East End of Long Island from 12 a.m. Tuesday morning until 12 a.m. Wednesday.
“As always with emergency preparedness, we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” Southold Highway Superintendent Vincent Orlando said.
Both Southold Town and Greenport Village will close their government offices tomorrow. Southold Town has also canceled all recreation department activities and rescheduled tomorrow’s work session and board meeting for next Tuesday, March 21.
Southold, Mattituck and Greenport school districts have closed all schools tomorrow and canceled after-school activities. (For a complete list of cancellations and closings, click here)
Greenport Village has banned parking on all roads in the village during the storm to expedite snow removal operations.
Snow is expected to begin falling around 3 a.m. tomorrow. The storm is forecast to dump between eight and 12 inches of snow across the East End of Long Island before the precipitation switches over to sleet and freezing rain in the early afternoon. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing again after nightfall, so the precipitation could switch over to snow again before the storm departs.
The storm will be accompanied by winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Moderate coastal flooding is also expected due to elevated tides of 2.5 to 3.5 feet above astronomical tides. A coastal flood warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The combination of heavy, wet snows and high winds creates a potential for power outages. A mobile-friendly outage map is available at PSEG’s website that includes the location of current outages, the number of customers impacted and the estimated restoration time of each outage.
Governor Cuomo has declared a state of emergency across all 62 counties in New York State beginning 12 a.m. Tuesday. The governor directed all non-essential state employees to stay home from work Tuesday.
Check back at SoutholdLOCAL for updated forecasts, photos and storm coverage.
