A powerful winter storm that walloped the Northeast on Sunday dumped more than a foot of snow across much of Long Island, blanketing Bellmore and Merrick, snarling traffic and prompting school closures into Monday.
The National Weather Service said the Jan. 25 storm left localized totals of about 12 inches in parts of Nassau County, including nearby North Merrick, as of late Sunday night. Snowfall generally ranged from 8 to 15 inches across Long Island.
The storm arrived early Sunday and quickly intensified, bringing steady snowfall throughout the day before transitioning in some areas to a mix of sleet and freezing rain late in the afternoon. A winter storm warning remained in effect into Monday afternoon, with wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph along the South Shore, according to the NWS.
Heavier amounts were reported elsewhere in Nassau County, with Centre Island measuring more than 15 inches and Levittown topping 13 inches.
The storm, part of a broader system that triggered states of emergency from Texas to New England, created hazardous conditions on major roadways, including Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway. Officials urged motorists to avoid nonessential travel because of slick surfaces and reduced visibility.
Area school districts, including Bellmore-Merrick and neighboring communities, closed Monday as crews worked overnight to clear roads and sidewalks.
No major power outages were reported locally and according to 511NY.org, police in Nassau reported no major weather related crashes or road closures.
Public transportation was also affected, with NICE Bus suspending routes at 3 p.m.
