Long Island weather: Dusting to an inch of snow, then afternoon rain

A quick morning hit of light snow is transitioning to rain across Long Island, forecasters said. 

The fast-moving system sent light to moderate snow across Nassau and western Suffolk counties and into New York City after 9 a.m., with eastern Suffolk getting light snow later. A changeover to rain can be expected in the early afternoon as temperatures warm up above freezing, said John Murray, National Weather Service meteorologist in Upton.

"Precipitation overall will become more intermittent later this afternoon," the weather service said in a radar update about noon.

A dusting ofup to an inch was expected before that changeover to rain from southeast to northwest, the weather service said in a hazardous weather statement. Accumulation chances were highest for northwestern Long Island, with the East End expected to get only a dusting. 

“Travel may become locally hazardous due to snow- and slush-covered untreated roads and bridges,” the weather service said in a special briefing statement for the morning.

Still, Thursday was expected to be much more mild than the mid-November nightmare when a surprise snowfall ruined the metropolitan area's evening commute.

Thursday should top out at about 40 degrees with wind chill values between 25 and 35. There is a chance of more light rain overnight into Friday, which should heat up to near 50. 

Look for rain to start overnight into Saturday, which will have a high in the low 50s.

We’re talking “a steady, soaking rain,” potentially heavy at times and liable to cause some street flooding, News 12 Long Island meteorologist Rich Hoffman said.

Sunday brings further chances of rain, with highs in the mid-40s.