Eastern Long Island Pounded by Blizzard: Snow, Gusts, Power Outages, Travel Ban Extended

Eastern Long Island Snow Accumulation Tops 24 Inches, 60 MPH Gusts Lash Region; LIRR Suspended, 16,000+ Without Power, Travel Bans

Long Islanders woke Monday to a winter onslaught: up to 27.5 inches of snow (Remsenburg/Speonk), whiteout conditions, downed trees, power outages, and even an overturned snowplow, as a massive blizzard continued to hammer the region.

Many people called each other, complaining they couldn’t even open their front doors.

Suffolk County officials extended the travel ban for a second time until 3:30 p.m Monday, with the possibility of further delays depending on conditions. County Executive Ed Romaine said eastern Long Island—including the Hamptons and North Fork—is experiencing some of the storm’s heaviest impacts.

Get ready for more snow. Photo by Annie Nyle

Snowfall: Eastern Suffolk Surpasses 24 Inches

The National Weather Service in Upton reports totals ranging from 14 to 27.5 inches. As of 12 p.m. Monday, snow accumlulation registered in Suffolk County showed: 

Remsenburg-Speonk 27.5"
Quogue 26"
Southampton 24"
Riverhead 22.5"

Heavy snow bands, dropping 2 to 3 inches per hour, are “changing by the minute,” according to meteorologist Bryan Ramsey. The most intense snowfall is expected to taper by noon, though another 3 to 6 inches could accumulate this afternoon as lighter snow moves west to east. Storm totals are now forecast at 18 to 24 inches, with isolated higher amounts where bands stall.

Winds and Coastal Concerns

Strong wind gusts are lashing the region. Monday morning saw widespread gusts of 40 to 50 mph, with a peak of 60 mph at JFK Airport. Winds are expected to ease to 30–40 mph in the afternoon and drop further Monday night to about 20 mph, dissipating entirely by Tuesday morning.

Photo by Scott Greer.

The combination of heavy snow and fierce gusts has brought down tree limbs and damaged power lines, leaving approximately 16,000 PSEG Long Island customers without electricity. Coastal flood advisories remain in effect for South Shore and East End communities during high tide cycles, as strong onshore flow compounds impacts.

Travel Chaos and Public Safety

Driving has become nearly impossible. Whiteout conditions and drifting snow forced town crews to temporarily pull plows off the roads early Monday, while freshly cleared streets quickly filled in again. An overturned snowplow on westbound Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore Sunday evening underscored the storm’s severity, even for heavy equipment.

The Long Island Rail Road remains suspended systemwide, and Suffolk County buses will not run until Tuesday. Schools and local agencies are closed, emphasizing that the safest place to be is off the roads.

NYC/Long Island is under a snow blanket. Photo by Harrison Haines

What to Expect

  • Through noon: Peak blizzard conditions with heavy snow and strongest winds.

  • Monday afternoon: Snow tapers west to east; another 3–6 inches possible. Winds remain gusty.

  • Monday night: Clearing skies, windy, lows near 25 degrees.

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, breezy, cold. High near 31 degrees; winds diminish by daybreak.

Eastern Long Island remains in the storm’s crosshairs, with snow, powerful winds, and hazardous travel conditions persisting through midday before gradual improvement begins.