Snow falling in F.S. and Elmont

Snow started falling across the South Shore two hours earlier than expected on Saturday, with the first flakes hitting the ground around 9 a.m.

Early in the day, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Nassau and Suffolk counties, effective from the morning of Jan. 7 into the early morning of Jan. 8.

High schools canceled afternoon games, and a number of libraries reported early closings. (Check with your local library before heading out.)

Long Islanders can expect four to eight inches of snow, and perhaps as much as 11 inches in eastern Suffolk County, according to the weather service. As of Saturday morning, temperatures hovered in the mid-20s, but were expected to drop into the teens overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

Motorists were cautioned to expect snowy and icy driving conditions. Visibility was predicted to be less than a quarter mile at times during the late morning and into the afternoon on Saturday. Winds were expected to blow at 10 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts up to 30 miles per hour.

The Town of Hempstead and Nassau County are responsible for plowing the main roads throughout Franklin Square and Elmont.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said the county is ready for the snow.
"We will prepare for the worst and hope for the best," Mangano said, adding that the county will brine its roads to hopefully avoid icing.

The Town of Hempstead is preparing for the storm as well.

"Town officials are hard at work in advance of the expected snowfall to prevent the winter weather from creating hazardous road conditions," said town spokesman Mike Deery. "As the snowflakes fall and blanket our landscape, Hempstead Town will continue to work to ensure that roads are safe and easily navigated." 

Here's the weather service's 24-hour forecast:

Today: Snow, mainly after 9 a.m. Could be heavy at times. High near 26 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill values between 10 and 15. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Daytime accumulations between five and nine inches of snow possible.

Tonight : Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Gradual clearing through the morning, with a low around 18 and wind chill values between 5 and 10. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday: Isolated snow showers after 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 25.