Winter doesn't officially begin until Dec. 21, but it feels like our chilly friend has already come to town. In St. Louis, weather is something we all love to talk about, so here are 10 signs winter is upon St. Louis families.

1. We've had at least one media story about snow removal. We should either rest assured that salt supplies are bountiful or panic about snow-removal budget cuts. Either way, some streets are already coated with the white sheen of salt crystals.

2. Hidden Valley Ski Resort is blowing snow.

3. Pumpkin ale has been replaced by peppermint mochas. We also feel compelled to get extra milk and strawberry Nutrigrain bars at each grocery run.

4. Snow has been in the forecast for the past two weeks but has yet to materialize.

5. Your laundry has doubled in volume. In addition to hunting down the matches to socks, you're also on the lookout for that matching glove.

6. Early, as in wee-small-hours early, morning hockey ice time has replaced afternoon baseball and soccer practice.

7. Outdoor ice-skating rinks have opened for the season (search our calendar for keyword "skating").

8. The family vehicle has experienced one or more of the following:
    - a dead battery
    - low tire pressure
    - empty or frozen windshield wiper fluid
    - the application of antlers

9. School newsletters are stuffed with snow day instructions and reminders.

10. The malls are jam-packed. Teens are begging for rides to the mall as young families seek warm places for little ones to roam.

How do you know it's winter at your house?

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