Environment Canada issued its first special weather statement of the season which could mean significant snowfall for parts of the region for Halloween.

The Masonville corner store is located just north of Shelburneand is on road with a legendary reputation for being closed because of winter weather conditions. Jimmy Chahal says it's not unusual to have drivers marooned in his parking lot when the wind picks up and the snow starts to blow.

“We tell people to turn around and go back home or we have had people stay around back here and then take off in the morning. “

Drivers will likely get their first taste of winter driving conditions over the next 48 hours. In their special weather statement, Environment Canada says areas in the Shelburne area could see 10 centimetres of snow. 

Ron Jones is hoping the snow is not an indication that this winter will be as severe as the last one.

“The snow started in October last year and it lasted a long time, I know that.” 

Last winter Dufferin County declared a state of emergency after several days of relentless winter weather in late January that left roads closed and hundreds of travelers stranded.

OPP Constable Paul Nancekivell says it's a different world north of Highway 89 in the winter and police will be stepping up their communications on Twitter to help drivers avoid dangerous conditions and road closures.

“Now with Twitter, social media is so big these days especially with young people and people in the city, they are relying on those tools, if we have these tools ready to go in a rural areas and they are able to access them it only stands to reason it is going to make their drive a lot safer. “

But Environment Canada's Dave Phillips expects any snow that does fall over the weekend will likely melt away before long and he says a winter like last year is unlikely. 

“We have never cancelled winter here but it won't be the kind of brittle brutal winter we had last year, we will save money on our heating bills, don't hide out and hibernate get out and enjoy the winter we have but hey it won't be as tough as it was last year. “