Long Island in Grip of Bitter Cold Snap

A bitter cold spell has gripped the northeast and won't spare Long Island, where temperatures are not expected to rise above the 20s for a second consecutive day Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported overnight temperatures this week in the single digits (about 10 degrees at Farmingdale at 5 a.m.) and is predicting possible snowfall into the evening on Friday.

Wednesday afternoon's high hovered below 20 with wind chill values as low as -5 degrees. Northwest winds of about 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph, will make walking outside miserable. A barely warmer Thursday is forecast.

Nassau County has set up 15 warming stations in the town of Hempstead.

Experts recommend dressing in layers, wearing gloves and hats and avoiding extended periods outdoors. The sick and elderly are particularly vulnerable.

Severe cold weather is predicted through the rest of the week, with the possibility of some snow on Friday night, the NWS said.