Will this be the last storm of the season?

Snow continues to fall in latest winter storm

Long Beach may see up to eight inches

Posted

The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. tonight. The South Shore is expected to accumulate four to seven inches of snow throughout Thursday, with temperatures dropping into the low-twenties by this afternoon.

Long Beach Public Schools are closed today, March 5, and the City has cancelled Youth and Family Services Sandbox programs as well. The Magnolia Daycare will remain open but parents may be required to pick up their children early if weather conditions worsen throughout the day. Early Morning and Late care at Lido and West Community Center are also cancelled.

Department of Public Works crews were out earlier today to sand roads and keep them clear for the morning commute, though the city did issue an advisory on their Facebook page asking residents to use caution when traveling and to stay home if possible due to the fact that the storm will affect both today’s morning and evening commutes.

“It is sometimes difficult to deal with the weather as it is happening, but our crews always do their best to keep roads open and sanded. Crews will work throughout the day, dealing with the storm as they always do,” officials said in a statement.

“The roads were slippery this morning when I went out early, as the storm was starting up,” East Beech Street resident Stuart Goodman said. Goodman commutes to the Bronx for work.

Another East Beech Street resident, Sam Pinto, says he’s had enough of the snow. “The weather stinks, when is it going to stop? It’s almost Spring.”

Pinto’s family has been sick and confined to the house recently, but he had to contend with poor road conditions earlier in the week to take his young daughter to a doctor’s appointment. “That’s no fun, having to go to a doctor’s appointment in the snow.” Pinto said.

“We’re a beach community, we like the sun,” he added. “We’re getting to our breaking point.”

Falling temperatures later in the day Thursday could result in icy road conditions and reduced visibility of only a quarter-mile. Wind gusts may also result in drifting snow. Precipitation is likely to continue falling tonight; through 11 p.m. Wind chill values between zero and 10 degrees are expected.

Snowfall may be heavy at times today, and residents are advised to exercise caution if shoveling and to be careful to avoid overexertion. This latest storm comes on the heels of a wintery mix of sleet, snow and rain Tuesday evening and significant snowfall last weekend.

The persistent storms this winter have left residents fighting a near constant battle against the snow. “I’ve spent $200 bucks on salt,” Pinto said. “You shovel out the front of your house and then you turn around an hour later and it’s all back.”

Temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days, reaching into the 40s on Sunday.