Updated Feb. 5 at 6:25 p.m.:
Riverhead Police and highway department officials are urging motorists to use extra caution Thursday morning, due to snow, sleet and freezing drizzle that will make for hazardous travel conditions during the morning commute.
Riverhead Central School District schools will have a two-hour delayed opening Thursday, Interim Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said in phone message sent out to district parents Wednesday evening. All before-school activities have also been canceled, she said.
A period of light snow is expected this morning along with the potential for freezing drizzle and sleet before changing over to a plain rain by mid-morning, the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement Thursday morning.
Accumulations of snow and sleet up to an inch is forecast, the weather service said. Take extra precautions if traveling.
Riverhead Highway Department crews began working Wednesday to prepare local roads for the inclement weather, Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski said Wednesday afternoon.
“We’re out today getting ahead of this storm by pre-treating the bad areas with salt brine,” Zaleski said. “We also have already loaded the fleet with salt to start combatting this storm before daybreak,” he said.
Temperatures will gradually rise above freezing, changing the precipitation to only rain by late morning, according to the weather service forecast.
Motorists should plan on slippery road conditions, slow down and leave extra time to get to their destinations, officials said.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
