Syracuse, NY – Several inches of lake effect snow are still expected Thursday and early Friday in central New York, weather forecasters said.

The winter storm is coming in two parts this week, according to Bryan Greenblatt, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Binghamton.

The first storm blew through the region Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, Greenblatt said.

Overall, that first system left about 1 to 3 inches on the ground in parts of Onondaga County, he said.

But the second blow is still to come, Greenblatt said on Thursday shortly after 3 p.m.

This portion is the lake effect snow that is expected to increase around 7 p.m. Thursday.

A decline of 10 to 15 cm is forecast in Syracuse, with slightly higher levels seen in rural areas of the county and region.

“There is a chance of snow quickly in the evening hours,” Greenblatt said. “And then it lasts for much of the night.”

Weather service officials warned Thursday morning that there will be breaks or pauses in snow even as much of Central New York and the North Country are under a winter storm warning.

The snow squalls that moved through the region Thursday morning were fairly patchy, Greenblatt said. That meant some communities faced heavy snowfall, while others experienced little snowfall.

Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour are expected Thursday evening, causing blowing and blowing snow that could make visibility difficult.

Several school districts canceled after-school activities and some even gave early dismissal on Thursday.

Staff reporter Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at [email protected] or @mossjon7.