A blizzard warning is in effect for the metropolitan area from lunchtime Monday until midnight Tuesday.

The National Weather Service says the storm is starting with light snow Monday morning. About 1 to 3 inches are possibly by sunset. The intensity of the snow will pick up after that.

The agency says 2 to 4 inches per hour are expected to fall Monday night into Tuesday morning. Accumulations of 18 to 24 inches are possible by Tuesday afternoon.

The agency says winds will be from the north, gusting up to 55 mph. They will strongest across eastern Long Island.

Visibility will be only a quarter of a mile or less at times.

The Weather Service says some roads may become impassable due to the heavy snow.

(AP)