WEATHER UPDATE: How Much It Will Snow and When

Cupid’s arrow will be covered in snow during a Valentine’s Day winter storm that is set to hit Long Island with heavy snow and strong winds.

The latest snowfall projections from the National Weather Service call for 4-8 inches of snow accumulations across the island from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. Nassau is line for 4-6 inches of snow, while 6-8 inches could fall across parts of Suffolk and the East End.

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From 1 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday, all of Nassau will be under a winter weather advisory. Western Suffolk will be under a winter storm watch and the East End, where the heaviest snow is expected, will be under a winter storm warning.

Light snow is expected to develop across the island on Saturday afternoon, becoming heavy at times Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Considerable blowing and drifting snow with near-blizzard conditions is possible Saturday night into Sunday morning as winds increase.

Speaking of wind, a high wind watch is also in effect for Nassau and western Suffolk from midnight Sunday until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Winds of 30-40 mph will gust up to 60 mph, the NWS says. The strong winds may down tree limbs and power lines, as well as make driving high profile vehicle difficult. The East End is spared from the high wind watch, but wind gusts may still reach 55 mph on the Twin Forks.

The snow will taper off Sunday afternoon, with bitter cold left in its wake. The high on Sunday will only reach the mid-teens, with wind chill temperatures dropping to 5 below zero. The mercury will dip to near zero on Sunday night and blustery winds could make it feel like 20 below.