A cold blast from Mother Nature had many people scurrying to dig out winter coats, hats, and boots over Thanksgiving weekend.

An early start to winter caused many residents to wonder...has winter started early?!

Dan Kulak, Meteorologist with Environment Canada, says while we may be lucky this time, it is a good reminder of what is coming.

"Rather than looking at it as late fall, cold weather... look at it as early winter, mild weather; it could be a lot colder in a couple of months from now."

Southern Alberta did experience a number of centimetres of snow over the past few days.

"A little bit more snow in the 25 or so centimetre range in Pincher Creek and Cardston; in and around Calgary, reports of accumulation were more like 10 centimetre mark over the weekend and the latter part of last week."

Kulak says we will thaw out over the next 5 - 7 days as Calgary/Cochrane area will see temps bounce back into double digits early next week.

While we may see a little rain, a few flurries, the white stuff should disappear entirely; don't get too confidant, warns Kulak, "it certainly is a reminder of what is going to be coming sooner than later as winter really does set in probably sometime in the near future."