Heavy snow finally reached the East End Wednesday night, where forecasters said it would linger into Thursday morning.

Riverhead had escaped the storm's impact for most of the day, but after dark, stinging sleet and heavy, wet snow began buffeting the town.

A number of businesses closed early anticipating that the snowfall would pick up into the evening.

Coastal flooding appeared minimal, following the afternoon high tide, but the next one arrives overnight, coinciding with forecasts of much stronger winds. 

Snow is expected to continue falling until 6 a.m. Thursday.