But in the case of snow in September, it's safe to say most Albertans would prefer some distance.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Edmonton Wednesday, warning that a cold front is coming down from the Northwest Territories and invading Alberta, bringing snow with the heaviest amounts expected over the west-central part of the province, particularly between Grande Prairie and Jasper.
Snowfall warnings are in effect for the Grande Prairie, Grande Cache and Jasper regions.
In Edmonton, temperatures took a huge dip Wednesday morning as the cold front moved in, with the mercury tumbling from 8 C at 8 a.m. down to 0 C by 10 a.m. and -0.1 C by 11 a.m.
Snow started falling in Edmonton just after noon Wednesday and is expected to continue through Thursday, with forecasters predicting accumulations between three and eight centimetres.
"It's a 24-hour event, at least," said Dan Kulak, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
IT HAS BEGUN #yeg #yegwx pic.twitter.com/r1Z6ZKgEoK
โ Trevor Robb (@TrevorRobb_) September 12, 2018
But how much of the snow will stick around depends largely on ground temperatures, said Kulak.
"We have been warm for a while. The air has cooled off from eight to zero ... but there's a lot of heat left in the ground," said Kulak. "How you even really begin to measure snow in these events is a real challenge."
The long-term forecast looks cool too. The average temperature for this time of year is 17 C but temperatures aren't expected to reach at least 15 C for another 10 days.
"We're in a bit of a cold snap here," said Kulak.
Alberta Transportation issued an advisory Wednesday, reminding motorists to prepare for winter conditions and adjust driving habits. For up-to-date road conditions, visit 511.alberta.ca
Winter clothes needed
As the cooler temperatures take hold, the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services Society (EERSS) is putting out a call for hats, gloves, coats, boots and blankets.
"We have been flooded with calls from other agencies to send their clients to us to get some winter clothes. We pulled out all what we have to our clothing bank, but we don't have enough," said Dalia Abdellatif, with EERSS, in a Wednesday release.
Donations can be dropped off at the downtown location, 10255 104 St., from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Snow-tember
Residents in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Slave Lake took to Twitter Wednesday to share their new Winter Wonderland reality.
Some are not pleased.
Slave Lake this morning. Cars covered, visibility limited. #abroads #abstorm pic.twitter.com/mnoMTS2hD8
โ Guy Q (@GuyQuenneville) September 12, 2018
"Summer" in Alberta. #ABstorm pic.twitter.com/T5MHfrC1mt
โ Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) September 12, 2018
If you think the earlier picture was bad... this is 2.5 hours later #ABstorm #Athabasca pic.twitter.com/NV3oOotFN3
โ Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) September 12, 2018
What fresh he-snow.#gpab #septsnow #abstorm pic.twitter.com/G1knLqM8KU
โ Mo McEwan (@MoMcEwan) September 12, 2018
I can't take part in Back to School photo day, but I can contribute to #firstdayofsnow! ๐จโThis is the first September snowfall Grande Prairie has gotten in four years #gpab #snow #septembersnow pic.twitter.com/mvL56E2mOF
โ Erica Fisher (@ericasia) September 12, 2018
Happy first snow of the year! โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ #abstorm #gpab pic.twitter.com/GekZ1iWRBj
โ W McK. (@_shewanders) September 12, 2018
Check out the snow in Grande Prairie Alberta already 6cm and it continues to snow video taken by Miriam Tschetter #abstorm pic.twitter.com/HpolsZJZ9U
โ Brandon Houck (@HouckisPokise) September 12, 2018
Grande Prairie this morning - that is just a little too early. #Harvest2018 pic.twitter.com/F3c4eX4F3P
โ Larry Weber (@canada_weber) September 12, 2018
An early morning text from my mom in Slave Lake pic.twitter.com/UPhMUvOtAw
โ Laurel Thompson (@AgronomyLaurel) September 12, 2018
Happy summer from Fort McMurray! #abstorm #abwx #ymm pic.twitter.com/6p7NbtJhjZ
โ Tyler Tracksell (@WxMonkey) September 12, 2018
Comment: Another resident said: