Well, it’s happening NOW, so I wasn’t too far off. Just six days! 
Right now! First snow. Not accumulating on sidewalks or streets. The trees sure are pretty.
I said in my earlier post that around mid-November is usually when we get our first significant snow. Sure enough, it’s November 15th and it’s been snowing since yesterday. We have about 4" so far. It’s supposed to snow for a couple of days. The first snow like this is always kind of festive. In a couple of months it will be nothing but drudgery.
And, of course, today was the day that I had to actually commute into the office in downtown Chicago. 
Sorry! LOL
Nothing here in central Kentucky yet but a few non-sticking flurries, despite temperatures running 15 degrees below normal for this time of year.
The Buffalo N.Y. area is under a winter storm watch for Thursday through Sunday, with the possibility of multiple feet of lake effect snow for some locations.
Montreal has a snow warning for tomorrow, predicted to start around 4 AM. Only 5 -10 cm is predicted.
These days – at least around here (southern Ontario) – the concept of “first snow of the season” can be a bit deceptive. I think we technically got our first real snowfall earlier than usual this year, around mid-November. But it all melted in a few days, and there’s been none since then. In fact, temperatures have been well above freezing pretty much continuously since then. I just checked the forecast and temps are projected to remain above seasonal at least through next weekend, the forecast going as far as Dec 3. Highs will be up to 12°C (54°F). So, into December with not even frost in sight. Welcome to global warming.
Well, our first real (staying around) snow of the season is gone. It took almost three weeks and a nice weather warm-up to disappear. Next one might start tomorrow.
I used to live in a neighbourhood where the neighbours got together and built an ice rink for the kids to skate and play hockey on. I imagine they’re trying to give it their best shot again this year, but at best it will be a very late start and the ice may be ruined by multiple thaws throughout the winter. As someone who sees many positive things about winter, I find this very sad, like the winters of my childhood are really disappearing. I read an article recently about some communities in Switzerland permanently dismantling their ski lifts, because for years now there just hasn’t been any significant snow.
So do I, @wolfpup. In my mind, all kids need to be able to skate until they can’t feel their feet any more, build snow creatures that last until the end of February or middle of March, and go sledding down steep icy slopes like I did as a kid. Now, even though the cold is hard on my arthritis, and the neighbors cheer warmer winters, I sit and worry about whether or not it is actually cold enough for our winter-hardy plants to get the doses of cold and moisture they need to produce beautiful blooms and fruits come summer and for animal populations to be able to go through natural selection with the hardiest finding enough to eat and the sickliest dying off that keep populations strong. And still, we drive our cars to work even though we’ve now proved to corporate mgmt that we can work from home and pollute less.
Getting back to the OP’s second question, about how long snow lasts, here’s this thread from last year:
I don’t bother taking the snow tires off. Winter is long and summer is short.
So three days after our first snow disappeared, we got a new snowfall. Officially 18 inches of the stuff in my suburb, but I think my area got a couple of inches less. Then a big, cold wind came in and blew much of the snow into the river valley. I’m learning that is normal for where my condo is.
Now, about snow tires, be aware that they are actually winter tires. It’s not just the different tread pattern that counts but winter tires have a rubber compound that works better in cold temperatures than all-season or summer tires. This can help with stopping on pavement, snow, and ice, as well as just all around car handling. Tire companies really don’t recommend using them in summer because they will wear out faster, but hey, that’s your choice.
Yup, I just replace them as needed. I generally get two years out of them. Now, working from home I drive a lot less, so that will change.
It’s worth not having the hassle of ‘summer’ tires and winter tires. And always having them on for the unexpected blizzard in May or September.
Drove north for a court appearance yesterday, through intermittent blowing snow that slowed me down for visibility. No snow this morning, but -32 C when I woke up.
Weather map shows I am in the midst of snow right now, but nada. Yet.
We have snow! Amusingly, Facebook told me yesterday that we had a day with snow just 10 years ago.
Today’s snow is not a whole lot, but it’s definitely white out there.
Today, the temp is above freezing which has put us into a dark gray cloud of moisture (due to melting snow) that can’t make up it’s mind to stay or move on. Forecast says it will be staying for a few days.
Still no snow to speak of here in the western suburbs of Chicago. We had rain Thursday night into Friday, and in the northwestern suburbs, some of that became an inch or two of wet snow, but around here, it was all rain, except for a few fat, wet snowflakes at the end of the rainfall yesterday afternoon.
It’s a little unusual to not have had any accumulating snow here, this deep into December, but it’s generally been above freezing, and when it’s been colder, it’s also been clear and sunny. The forecast for next Thursday night (the 15th) says, “a chance of rain or snow,” but that’s the only hint of snow for the next week.