Light snow ends but frigid weather to stay all week on Long Island

Light snow ended Monday, but forecasters said Long Islanders would have to cope with frigid temperatures for the rest of the week.

Flurries fell but stopped in most parts of the region by early evening and the approximately half inch of snow left on the ground won't be melting anytime soon. At around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service said 0.4 inches of snow coated Islip while 0.8 had fallen in Plainview.

The snow was not expected to greatly impact the evening commute, but, Monday evening, the weather service nevertheless warned: "Scattered flurries will be ending this evening. Most roads remain wet, and a few secondaries may remain snow covered. Temperatures remain below freezing across the area so any untreated surfaces may become icy and slick this evening. Use extra caution while traveling."

Gov. Kathy Hochul advised all New Yorkers to take precautions to protect themselves against cold temperatures and wind gusts that will increase the risk for frostbite and hypothermia, according to a news release issued Monday.

"As extreme cold temperatures move into our state over the coming days, I encourage New Yorkers to take precautions to keep themselves and their families safe," Hochul said in a release. "These conditions pose an extraordinary risk to anyone who is exposed to the elements or is unable to adequately heat their home ..."

Weather service meteorologist Matthew Wunsch said Long Islanders will have to endure below-freezing temperatures until Friday.

With gusts of up to 23 mph, temperatures will feel like the single digits Monday night, according to the weather service. Highs will only reach the upper 20s and upper 30s Tuesday through Thursday.

Tuesday night and Thursday night will also feel like single digits due to strong wind chills. Wednesday night will feel like zero degrees, the coldest period this week as gusts will reach up to 30 mph.

The wind chills will form as a low pressure system moves out and a high pressure system moves in from the west, creating "pretty risky conditions" and bringing in cold air. Wunsch said.

Friday will reach highs in the mid-30s but Friday night into Saturday will be in the upper teens.

Anyone working outdoors this week should wear at least three layers of clothing plus insulated footwear and thick socks, gloves or mittens and a hat, hood or hard hat liner, take frequent breaks in warm areas, stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid caffeine, according to the New York State Department of Labor.

Long Island dodged the storm that struck the Midwest over the weekend, dumping heavy snow across parts of the mid-Atlantic Monday, including Washington, D.C.

Another potential system may develop on Saturday, but Wunsch said while it is too soon to forecast its intensity, the service is keeping an eye on it.

"Everything kind of has to come together in order for the system to form," Wunsch said. "There's so much uncertainty that we can't say for sure whether or not we're going to be impacted by it, but there definitely is a potential for things to develop, so we'll be keeping an eye on it."