Welcome Old Man Winter...

On Friday, Winnipeggers awoke to the city covered in a white blanket laid down by none other than Old Man Winter himself. For the third week in November, having just received our first snowfall, Winnipeggers have had ample time to prepare and winterize themselves for another winter season. Or have they?

Fifty-three-year-old Public Safety Officer and City of Winnipeg commuter, Sherry Brisnik, says she’s been anticipating this snowfall for quite some time. Brisnik says, “It does seem earlier this year. I remember some years back when it was almost Christmas and we hardly had any snow.”

Brisnik says she has endured 14 Winnipeg winters thus far. After remembering to dress her two children this morning, this year she forgot one thing.  For Brisnik on the first day of snow, it was the all important snow brush. “I have three in my garage at home but forgot to put one in the car!”

Preparing for winter is something that 44-year-old Don Rebeck takes pride in. Rebeck says he is never caught off guard. “When you have lived here your whole life, you are ready for it. Listening to the forecast helps too.”

Rebeck is a resident of Landmark, Manitoba and commutes to downtown Winnipeg daily. He says winterizing your vehicle is probably the most important aside from dawning proper attire. “I put some good winter Michelins (tires) on back in late October. You just never know when it’s coming, and when you’re driving on the highway every day, you have to have a reliable vehicle.”

Rebeck also says he makes sure his 2005 Chevrolet Colorado is equipped with a snow shovel, spare tire, and tow rope. “I love being able to pull people out when they get stuck. It’s just too bad they have to get stuck in the first place.” says a smiling Rebeck.

It looks like the snow is here to stay. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, residents of Winnipeg can expect two to four degrees Celsius colder that last year. As far as precipitation is concerned, Manitoba can expect above-average snowfall and the heaviest snowfalls will occur in early and mid-November, late December, and late February. Bundle up Winnipeg, Old Man Winter is here to stay.