'Low' probability of weekend snow for Long Island, possible Thursday morning dusting

There is a “low probability” that Long Island will get 2 to 4 inches of accumulating snow or sleet Saturday evening into Sunday, the National Weather Service said, but some type of heavy precipitation and strong winds are expected. 

“With a marginally cold airmass in place, the exact storm track and intensity will be crucial to precipitation types and amounts, particularly for the city and coast,” the weather service said in an advisory Wednesday evening. 

Forecasters said it is more likely that the Lower Hudson Valley and Southern Connecticut will get the snow, and Long Island will get rain from the coastal storm. But the weather service said, “These details are expected to become clearer over the next 36 hours.”

There was also a “slight chance” that the first snow of 2024 could begin to fall on Long Island Thursday morning. There’s a 20% chance of snow before 10 a.m. The high temperature will be about 44, dropping to the low 20s at night with wind chills of between 15 to 20 degrees, the weather service said.

Friday is predicted to be sunny, with a high near 37 and a low in mid-20s. Saturday, there is a 40% chance of rain or snow after 1 p.m., rising to 80% in the evening as the coastal storm moves in and lasts through Sunday.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.