MT. VERNON — It’s only the middle of November, but Mother Nature has brought winter cold to Southern Illinois early this year. And Mother Nature appears to be set to bring Southern Illinois’ first accumulating snowfall of the season Wednesday night into Thursday.

Mt. Vernon Public Works Director Matt Fauss says it may be early in the season, but his department is ready to keep the roads safe.

Fauss says even when the storm is just beginning, drivers must always be careful because the roads could already start becoming slick.

Fauss asks drivers to give all snow plows distance as they are plowing and treating the roads.