PLATTSBURGH -- It seemed as if the North Country was facing an impending doomsday Saturday, as residents anticipated the first nor'easter of the season.

People flocked to supermarkets and gas stations prior to the wintry storm, which was expected to dump 10 to 20 inches of snow on the region today.

"Some of the people working here say it's one of the worst for storms," said Steve Williams, manager of Plattsburgh's Hannaford Supermarket.

The rush to finish shopping before today was so intense that Williams was predicting a 75-percent increase in sales over a typical Saturday. Another manager described the scene from earlier that morning as "the end of the world."

Several customers waiting at registers and shopping around Hannaford late in the afternoon said they were doing regular shopping, just a day early.

"We usually shop on Sunday but decided to shop today because it's going to be snowing," said Nancy Strack, a communications professor at Plattsburgh State.

She planned to spend today grading assignments and wrapping some gifts.

Todd Rabideau, of Cadyville, who was using the Redbox DVD kiosk at the front of the store, said he was ready to spend the day at home.

"Planning on it," he said. "Filled the car up, filled the truck up, cleared the driveway."

He'll of course be doing a lot more of that today, as snowfall sweeps over the coast.

The National Weather Service in Burlington predicted the white to start dropping early this morning, bringing an inch or two by day break.

The heaviest snow was predicted to fall during the morning.

"Should be seeing snowfall rates at one-to-two inches per hour in the heaviest bands," said Maureen Breitbach, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Burlington.

Snow was expected to taper off by early afternoon, with the potential of a sleet mix throughout the North Country during that time period.

Southern Essex county has the greatest potential for sleet, Breitbach said.