It’s odd, but it’s true; every year, winter manages to sneak up on us.
Maybe it’s because our eyes are still longingly cast backwards at summer, or maybe we expect to be raking leaves and enjoying fall colours for a little while longer.
Whatever the reason, we always seem to be caught off guard when winter turns up early and makes its presence felt with a fresh supply of snow, ice and bitter wind.
This happens, of course, in spite of the fact that winter doesn’t arrive until late December, according to the calendars.
Try telling that to the people in Athabasca and the surrounding area who woke up on Saturday morning to find a view fit for a Christmas card outside of their windows.
Those with some of their childhood whimsy still intact may have found some pleasure in the first storm of the season, as there were plenty of opportunities for snowball fights and snowmen building. But there was less fun to be had on the roads.
It seems inevitable that the first storm of winter will cause havoc, and sure enough a number of mishaps and accidents occurred over the weekend. Some of them even came before the snowfall, as the cold temperatures and freezing rain produced icy surfaces on roadways.
This is only the first snowfall of what will be a long winter season. The snow that is currently on the ground may even melt away and allow for autumn to return for a time, but make no mistake; winter is here.
It’s up to everybody to drive with care and caution so that everyone makes it through another season of winter driving safely.
