The first heavy snowfall of the season slammed Long Island on Thursday, leaving drivers to deal with a treacherous evening commute.

Anyone out on the slick roads was urged to use caution.

The first flakes started falling shortly after 1:30 p.m. and grew heavier by the hour. The storm blanketed parts of the Island with a few inches of snow.

Forecast info | Weather Center | Traffic & Weather | School Closings

Long Island towns spent the morning preparing for the storm.

"We always are prepared," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

The snowfall came early this year -- exactly a week before Thanksgiving.

Workers at Trio Hardware and Paint in Plainview scrambled to get winter supplies out on the shelves. Some Long Islanders hit supermarkets earlier in the day to stock up on necessities.