Preparing for this first snowfall

W. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The first snowfall is often tricky, it could be late and it could be early. BUT if you wait until it's on top of you to prepare then you're left scrambling.

Before the first snowflakes had even started flying on Wednesday, stores that specialize in winter gear were quite busy.

That includes General Saw and Lawnmower which quickly sold three snow blowers early Wednesday morning.

"They're panicking and it's all because of what happened last October. You remember what happened last October? Nobody believed it was going to snow, it did and nobody was ready," said Paul Lussier, Manager of General Saw and Lawnmower.

For snow blower owners, the best ways to get your snow blower ready for winter is to change the oil and spark plugs, put new gas in it and get it serviced if it doesn't start right away.

Whether we're forecasting a lot or a little snow for the first snowfall, it seems that the result is the same: A mad rush to get things done before those first flakes."

At Town Fair Tire in West Springfield, lines were out the door for people wanting new tires with better tread.

There are easy ways to determine if you need new tires this winter.

"Well you can look at the tires, there are wear bars at the bottom of the tread, indicates to the consumer if they need them or not. If the tread is worn down to those wear bars they should definitely be replaced," said Guy Habrat, Manager of Town Fair Tire in W. Springfield.

While this snowfall didn't bring much of an impact to Western Massachusetts, it serves as a good reminder to get ready for the next one that might cause more issues.