Black ice covers part of Center Garden Boulevard in Yaphank....

Black ice covers part of Center Garden Boulevard in Yaphank. (Feb. 9, 2012) Credit: James Carbone

Snowfall is expected to be slightly less on the South Shore of Long Island, with higher levels along the North Shore and in central Long Island, said Joey Picca, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, based at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton.

The snow is expected to taper off early afternoon Saturday for western Long Island and early evening for those in eastern Suffolk County, forecasters said. The chance of precipitation Saturday is 80 percent, according to the weather service.

Thursday morning, black ice conditions led to scores of minor accidents and forced the temporary closure of several roads across Suffolk County overnight, police said. Police in Nassau reported no closures.

Temperatures were in the mid 40s Thursday and will drop below freezing overnight. They will bounce back to the mid to high 40s on Friday, when sunny skies are expected.

With John Valenti

Museum brings whaling history to life ... Back-to-school shopping ... Belmont Park reopening Credit: Newsday

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Museum brings whaling history to life ... Back-to-school shopping ... Belmont Park reopening Credit: Newsday

Hofstra students weigh in on possible faculty strike ... Blakeman to make ICE announcement ... Back-to-school shopping ... Belmont Park reopening

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