A strong winter storm is expected to begin on Thursday morning, with heavy snow and frigid temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

Island schools will have early dismissals on Thursday; regional high school lets out at 11 a.m., grammar schools at noon and the charter school at 12:30 p.m.

The worst part of the storm is expected overnight Thursday and into Friday morning. Some coastal flooding may occur. Snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour are possible.
 
The forecast calls for “dangerously low wind chills” and “considerable blowing” along the coastline Thursday night. Wind speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour from the northeast are predicted, resulting in whiteout conditions.
 
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