Long Island Weather: Snow Squalls Could Make Mess Of Evening Commute

The National Weather Service has issued the following hazardous weather outlook for Long Island:

Snow showers and localized snow squalls are expected this afternoon into early this evening. Winds gusts to 40 mph, brief heavy snowfall, poor visibilities and localized accumulations of up to near an inch are possible with any snow squalls. Any areas that experience heavier snow showers or snow squalls will also have potential to experience flash freeze conditions, as temperatures rapidly drop below freezing behind the arctic frontal passage late in the day to early this evening.

A snow squall is an intense, but limited duration, period of moderate to heavy snowfall, accompanied by strong, gusty winds.

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In December, the driver of a mini school bus lost control of the bus on Sunrise Highway during a snow squall, triggering a 29-vehicle pileup that injured six people.

The full forecast:

Friday- A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Friday Night- Snow showers likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 18. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 11 to 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday- Sunny, with a high near 30. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Blustery, with a northwest wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Saturday Night- Clear, with a low around 12. Wind chill values between -5 and 5. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 22 mph.

Sunday- Sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 9 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night- Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Monday- Partly sunny, with a high near 46.