ROCK HILL — The first accumulating snowfall in nearly two years is forecast for the area Thursday night, as part of a potent storm system.

But meteorologists stress that the season’s first winter storm will not have much cold air to work with, and the snow could miss some areas.

The National Weather Service is predicting up to an inch of snow in the Rock Hill beginning tonight.

Forecasters say 1 to 2 inches of rain are likely during the day Thursday, with enough cold air funneling into the system for a window – one to three hours, perhaps – of snow in the evening.

“Colder air will arrive during the afternoon, and the rain will change to snow – first, over the mountains in the afternoon, and then across the foothills and Piedmont during late afternoon and evening,” Larry Gabric, chief meteorologist of the National Weather Service’s office in Greer, said.

“Heavy accumulations of wet snow are likely across the mountains, with a quick accumulation of up to several inches even outside the mountains.”

Friday is predicted to be much quieter, although cool. Highs under sunny skies are forecast to be near 50 degrees.

Steve Lyttle of The Charlotte Observer contributed