Up To 5 Inches Of Snow Could Be Coming Overnight For Eastern L.I.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Concerns about a major snowstorm for the Tri-State Area this weekend have melted away, and in the latest forecast only the eastern end of Long Island is expected to get any significant accumulation of snow.

But the eastern end of Long Island was also slammed a week ago by a blizzard that left up to 30 inches of accumulation in some areas.

CBS 2 Meteorologist Vanessa Murdock reported the flurries and snow showers will continue off and on through the day Saturday – sometimes turning to rain depending on the temperature.

In the evening, the skies will dry up. But beginning at 11 p.m., more significant snowfall will begin in some areas.

Most of Long Island will likely see only a dusting to 1 inch, but the eastern end could see accumulations of 2 to 5 inches.

New York City's Department of Sanitation issued a snow alert for Saturday and loaded 365 salt spreaders, attaching plows to trucks and preparing all other necessary equipment overnight. The alert was called off during the day Saturday.

The state suspended two Department of Transportation officials amid criticism of their snow removal efforts on Long Island following the blizzard.

Acting Superintendent of Highways Michael Murphy resigned Wednesday amid mounting criticism over how the storm was handled. He called in sick and missed four days of work because he said he had a root canal and a family emergency.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Edward Romaine apologized Thursday for vacationing in Jamaica during the storm.

Romaine placed blame on the highway department for roads being left unplowed for days. Although the department is an independent entity that the town does not have authority over, he said it "concerns me that they failed."

While no major snowstorms are in the forecast for the week to come, an active weather pattern is still on tap.

A far cry from the high that hit 55 on Friday, the high for Saturday is only 39, and for Sunday just 29. Skies will clear Sunday, but high, whipping winds are expected.

The high reaches 34 on Monday with clear skies and high wind, followed by a wintry mix of rain and snow on Tuesday with a high of 34. Partly sunny skies and a high of 40 follow Wednesday, and conditions remain dry with a high of 37 on Thursday.

But on Friday, as the high reaches 38, steady snow is likely, Murdock reported.

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