The flakes were flying, and the mercury was hovering just above freezing Monday in response to a cold front swinging through the region. While the cold and scattered flurries are expected to last through Wednesday, in typical Adirondack fashion, folks don’t have to wait too long for weather conditions to change.

The coming weekend is forecast to feature temperatures back in the 60s with abundant sunshine in the Tri-Lakes region, according to the National Weather Service’s Burlington, Vermont office, which serves northern New York.

While Monday’s snowfall was the first of the season in lower elevations of the Adirondack Park, higher elevations have experienced snow since Sept. 8, when a light layer coated the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Last Thursday, the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway was closed due to snow, reopening the next day, but it was closed again Monday due to snow. The highway had been scheduled to remain open through Monday.

Meanwhile, in the Tri-Lakes communities, snow was sticking to the grass, but the roads were mostly just wet. With temperatures so close to freezing, slick conditions are always a possibility. The first winter weather events can pose an unforeseen danger on the roads: drivers being less familiar with winter driving, and the precautions it requires. Law enforcement said they are paying attention, and were pleased with what they saw, at least around Tupper Lake.

Flakes fall as mist rises from Second Pond southwest of Saranac Lake on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“We did notice a lot of folks driving slower (Monday) morning, which we appreciate,” said Tupper Lake Police Sgt. Travis Farmer.

The roads were busier than usual on Monday. Many took advantage of a long weekend — Monday was Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving in Canada — to explore the Adirondacks, even as weather conditions were not the most hospitable to outdoor recreation.

Alex Brucciani said he was visiting the Adirondacks with his family over the weekend for some hiking and leisure. They made the trip from Gananoque, Ontario — located in the Thousand Islands region. He said it was his first time visiting the area in many years, and his first time since having children.

“Now we’re navigating the world with children and it’s a very different journey,” he said while smiling.

On Saturday, he hiked St. Regis Mountain, near Paul Smiths.

Matt Lynch, of Saranac Lake, was one of many who put air in his tires Monday at the Tupper Lake Stewart's Shops as cold temperatures moved into the region. Lynch, who had the day off from work, made the trip from home to have lunch with his wife during her work break. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“We went up to the fire tower, which had a beautiful view of the foliage. Really really nice hike,” he said.

“It was a fabulous weekend. We stayed in Lake Placid, ate at some really nice restaurants and just enjoyed the fall colors. It’s a beautiful part of the world and we’re planning on coming back again at this time next year,” he said.

Matt Lynch, of Saranac Lake, decided to make a special trip to Tupper Lake.

“I’m off for today, but my wife’s working at the (Tupper Lake) Health Center so I figured I’d see her for lunch,” he said.

He was one of a steady stream of cars making their way to the air pump at the Stewart’s Shops in Tupper Lake.

Snow accumulates on canoes outside of St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake on Monday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“Fortunately, I didn’t have to wipe snow or scrape any ice off the car, but that tire pressure light came on with the cold snap,” he said.

Lynch — who was sporting a Gore Mountain sweatshirt — said he was happy to see things starting to cool down, at least for now.

“It’s been a warm fall up until this point. I’ve, like I’m sure everyone else has, been enjoying the leaves and everything, but I’m definitely excited for the start of winter,” he said.

Inside, Assistant Manager Tammy Clement said the flakes had been the talk of the town Monday morning.

“Everyone’s been saying how cold it is and (joking) ‘oh yeah we’re going to get three feet (of snow).’ I just keep telling them all it’ll be back to 60 by Friday. Nothing too special for the area,” she said.

Alex Brucciani, of Gananoque, Ontario, smiles along Park St. in Tupper Lake while making his way home Monday. Brucciani and his family spent the long weekend vacationing in the Adirondacks. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

“It’s a false alarm,” added Richard Tryder, of Tupper Lake, after checking out. Tryder was set to brave the day’s elements with a carton of egg nog and a fresh cup of hot soup.

“I turn 70 tomorrow (Tuesday). This is the first time in many, many, many years that I’ve seen a little snow this early in October, but I think it will last about five seconds until we’re back to Fall for a bit more,” he said.

Bruce Jennings, of Long Lake, was topping his tank off at Stewart’s before picking up his wife and making the trip back home.

“Yesterday I had both my upper chimney and lower chimney cleaned and checked out for the season. So, we’re ready to go with the wood,” he said.

Rob Molinari, the manager at the newly-opened Tupper Lake branch of Hulbert Supply — which moved into the former Fortune’s Hardware building a few weeks ago — said things have been busy for the wholesale heating and plumbing equipment supplier as the cold season works its way in.

Molinari has been with the company for over 14 years. He said his favorite part of the job was being able to talk with and help people. He said that while contractors tend to come into the store knowing exactly what they need, he is always happy to offer a second opinion if asked or lay out the options if a contractor has a project with multiple solutions and “could go this way or that way,” he said.

Molinari said he enjoys working with homeowners who are looking to take on a project themselves but may lack the experience or expertise of a professional contractor.

“It’s just nice helping people,” he said. “I don’t look at it as ‘I’m selling anybody anything.’ I’m looking at it as ‘We’re just helping them solve a problem.’ I’ve enjoyed doing that in all my time here. It’s why I’ve been here as long as I have, and it’s why our company has been around for as long as it has,” Molinari said.

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Weather forecast

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Temperatures hovered just above the freezing mark in Tupper Lake most of Wednesday, even as it snowed. It is not uncommon for this to happen, as most of the air column between the ground and where the snow forms is below freezing, with not enough of a layer just before the ground for the snow to melt before reaches the surface.

NWS forecasts little accumulation through Wednesday for the Tri-Lakes region’s population centers, although mountain summits in the High Peaks are predicted to see snow totals exceeding 8 inches — since Monday morning — by the end of tonight.