Autumn in Alberta – blink and you will miss it.
Over Thanksgiving, we got our first taste of the falling white stuff this year, a light dusting of snow that was just a sample of what was to come just a few days later on Oct. 14.
By Friday, we had caught the tail-end of some massive storms coming over from British Columbia. Anyone with a window could tell you how fast and hard the snow fell, and any driver could tell you how much grief it caused.
The Advocate is aware of at least four accidents that happened has a result of the weather, one of which involved one of our own staff members and another that blocked traffic at the top of the East Hill for some time.
This is it Athabasca. No longer can we use that foreboding Game of Thrones line – winter is not coming. It is here, likely to stay.
That means it’s time to prepare.
Make sure you have a good set of winter tires to throw on your vehicle.
As the snow fell on Friday, one of our reporters called Kal Tire to inquire about getting their tires put on. They were told the company was so full, they were booking into the week of the 24th, 10 days out.
As we adjust to the new season upon us, it’s important to take the time to make sure you and yours are safe out on the road. Drive according to the conditions, and make sure you get where you are going safely.
A lot of folks will groan at this editorial and take this as an opportunity to complain about winter weather, but hark! There is a silver lining to this white out.
Don’t forget to enjoy the beauty that comes with the start of winter, the clean crisp snow and temperatures that, while below freezing, are quite enjoyable with the addition of a few cozy layers. Take this time to build a snowman with some of the younger citizens of this area, or dust off those snowshoes and cross-country skis. We’ve got some beautiful trails around here, and they tend to be quite well used.
It’s going to be a long winter. Best to get in the mind set now.
