Brace for extreme weather.
Bands of snow have already started moving across Long Island Sunday morning with the entire region expected to see snowfall by noon. But it's merely the opening salvo of a much bigger system moving up the East Coast.
The National Weather Service's latest blizzard warning for New York City and Long Island, as of 5:01 a.m., calls for 11-16 inches of snow, with higher amounts possible. The blizzard warning is in effect until Monday at 6 p.m.
The worst of the storm is expected Sunday night into Monday, with high winds and gusts up to 60 mph.
"This is a very dangerous storm and it is not recommended to be outside during whiteout conditions, when wind gusts could exceed 50 mph during the evening and overnight hours," said Joe Giannotti, a Long Island meteorologist based at MacArthur Airport.
Giannotti expects the middle of Long Island to take the biggest hit. His forecast calls for 16-24 inches across eastern Nassau, western Suffolk and southwestern Connecticut.
Update: Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma said Southwest Airlines and US Airways have canceled all flights after 3 p.m., according to a spokesperson. Currently the airport is open but a handful of incoming and departing flights have already been canceled. The airport's website, flylima.com, includes real-time information on flights.
Update: The Long Island Rail Road is currently reporting delays on the Montauk line. To see the service status of your branch, check here: http://lirr42.mta.info/. Due to weather conditions, the LIRR advises customers to use caution on station platforms and stairways and when entering and exiting trains.
Check in with Patch for winter weather updates in your neighborhood. And send us your pictures.
