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Saturday Winter Weather Update: Recovering from Hercules

Written by Lyndsay McCabe  |  04. January 2014

The weather is beginning to warm up Saturday while Long Islanders recover from plenty of shoveling and plowing to remove snow from Winter Storm Hercules.  Here is what you need to know about the weekend forecast and current conditions for travel:

Forecast for the Weekend

Saturday will bring some much needed sun, but temperatures will remain chilly with a high of 30 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 25.  Though it is warmer than the past few days, be sure to bundle up outside, as there will be a bitter wind chill of 9 degrees. Sunday is expected to be rainy as temperatures finally climb past the freezing point with highs in the 40s. Check the LongIsland.com Weather Center for the most up-to-date forecast for the weekend.

Accumulations

After all the snow had fallen Friday afternoon, it was found that the snowfall from Hercules varied greatly across the Island. In Nassau County, Wantagh and Seaford only received approximately 4 and 5 inches of snow, respectively, whereas 12.4 inches were dumped on Oceanside.  In Suffolk, the lowest accumulation was found in Holbrook, which only received 6.5 inches – a paltry amount compared to the 12.5 inches in Bay Shore.  For full snowfall totals across Long Island, click here.   

The Long Island Rail Road

As of Saturday morning LIRR is completely back to normal after the snowstorm, with all trains running on the typical weekend schedule. To further help commuters, Governor Cuomo announced that the LIRR will keep waiting rooms open all weekend to protect customers from the bitter cold and wind.

MacArthur Airport

After whiteout conditions grounded planes at MacArthur Airport, flights continue to arrive and depart on time, but travelers are advised to check with their air carriers for the latest information on their flight.

Long Island Buses

Suffolk County buses are expected to be running on time on Saturday.  The Nassau County NICE bus system announced that they will be running a full and normal Saturday schedule, with the potential for minor delays in the morning due to the potential for icy conditions in some areas.

Driving Conditions

Most roads are clear this morning, but it is important to be careful if there are still snowy or icy conditions in your area.  Here are some tips for driving in winter weather from Governor Cuomo:

  • Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;
  • Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;
  • Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;
  • Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;
  • Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing;

For all of Governor Cuomo's Winter Weather Driving Tips, click here.

All in all, Winter Storm Hercules was nowhere near the magnitude of Nemo, and Long Islanders were more than ready to shovel, bring back power to their area, and even play outside.  Take a peek at what other Long Islanders were up to in our Winter 2013-2014 Gallery, and send us your pictures of snowfall, plowing, sledding, or making snowmen with the kids.

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