Keep those shovels ready. Hauppauge's light snowfall this morning may be the first sign of a third winter storm.
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather statement in effect until 1 p.m. as a heavy band period of snowfall at a rate up to 1 inch per hour, with 2 - 4 inches of accumulation. This is expected to reduce visibility on the roadways to less than one-half mile, with further reductions to one-quarter miles in spots.
This may be the first indication of a larger storm system expected to sweep through this after Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.
Weather forecasters have upgraded their Winter Storm Advisory to a Winter Storm Warning in effect 10 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday for Hauppauge. Predictions call for a period of mixed rain and sleet starting Wednesday afternoon changing into heavy snow by the evening. Hauppauge may receive from 4 -8 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to to 35 miles per hour.
This is expected to have an impact on the evening rush hour. Experts warn traveling during the storm may be hazardous due to slick road conditions, and advise only traveling in an emergency.
If hit head-on, predictions mean this storm could add up to an additional 12-inches to the area's snowfall total. This comes after more than 16 inches of snow blanketed Hauppauge overnight on Jan. 12, following the approximately 14 inches that fell during the Dec. 26, 2010 snowstorm.
