People in the Black Hills spent the day digging out from the season's first major snowstorm.

Custer County drivers were met with slippery pavement and blowing snow Thursday morning. Some rural areas saw drifts and white-out conditions as several inches of light snow continued to fall throughout the day.

"Roads are slick, they're a little icy. Travel was about 40, 45 miles per hour," Pringle resident Dan Harbison said.

Slow was the only way to go; wind gusts and packed snow made even the in-town commute difficult.

"If you don't have a four wheel drive, you can move along sideways real easy," Custer resident Richard Duncan said.

Drivers say it's not just the snow that's making it slick, it's what's hiding underneath.

"It started out as kind of a rain that froze, so it's the ice base underneath the snow.  So it does create a problem in that respect. You have to be careful," Duncan said.

Advice most seem to heed when the snow starts to fly.

"Everybody's being smart in their commutes and slowing down and taking the necessary precautions," Custer resident Ashley May said.

Precautions used a bit sooner this year than in years past, which will no doubt be used again dozens of times before spring.

"It did come awfully early and I'm sure I'll be tired of it by March," Duncan said.

Winter that's here with a vengeance, despite what the calendar says.