Travellers carry their luggage through a snow bank on 7th Avenue in front of Penn Station after a snow storm in New York December 27, 2010.
The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a winter storm warning for heavy snow and sleet for portions of northeast New Jersey, New York City and Long Island. REUTERS

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Upton has issued a winter storm warning of heavy snow and sleet for portions of northeast New Jersey, New York City and Long Island.

The warning is in effect from 10 am Wednesday to 6 am EST Thursday.

NWS has predicted accumulation of 4 to 8 inches of snow this afternoon and early evening.

In addition, north winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour (mph) with gusts up to 30 mph are expected across New York City and northeast New Jersey tonight when winds will be highest.

Meanwhile, Long Island will experience the highest winds, especially eastern Long Island, with speeds ranging between 15 and 25 mph.

The agency has warned that commutes during Wednesday evening and Thursday morning may be hazardous, with the heaviest snow likely falling overnight tonight.

Target areas include Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), New York (Manhattan), Northeast Suffolk, Northern Nassau, Northern Queens, Northwest Suffolk, Richmond (Staten Is.), Southeast Suffolk, Southern Nassau, Southern Queens, Southwest Suffolk

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