In parts of the US, snow has arrived more than a month earlier that its usual first appearance.
Although the levels do not compare to usual winter standards, the early start could be a harbinger of rougher weather to come.
The Farmers' Almanac, famous for its long-range weather predictions, says the winter of 2011-2012 will be unusually cold and stormy across the US.
The National Weather Service agrees, blaming the cyclical weather phenomenon known as La Nina.
Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman reports.
