SYRACUSE -- UPDATE Wednesday Evening Dec. 8th:

After five days of heavy snow in Syracuse and Central New York - it appears drivers in the area are acting more like they've driven in snow before.  People are driving more cautiously for the most part.  Even more of us have had harrowing near misses and fender benders.  Share your story in the comment section below.  We look forward to reading it on the air during the Talk@10:00 on CW 6.

We've all had that winter driving moment. Especially during the first snowfall of the season. You're rounding a turn and suddenly the back end of the car is trying to catch up to the front. Or, you're on the highway and a giant tractor trailer splashes slush on your windshield rendering you blind for a frightening instant or two. Worst yet you're heading down a hill on a rural road. You tap the brakes. Suddenly that feeling hits the pit of your stomach that you could not stop if your life depended on it. Welcome back winter!

I've experienced all three of those feelings in the last 24 hours alone. Yet, somehow that winter driving experience carried me through. I knew the right combination of letting off on the brakes or squeezing them harder. I knew to get the wipers going before the trucker slopped me with a giant mess. I knew to avoid that familiar hill that is fun in summer, but is treacherous in winter.

UPDATE 10:20 A.M. December 6th

Many of you are offering advice about the advantages of snow tires.  Some of you are offering tips on where to buy them affordably and whether your need two snows or four.  See the comments below for more.  Here's a link to some snow tire reviews. 

SHARE YOUR STORY IN OUR COMMENT SECTION BELOW:

What's your winter driving fear? What spot in your daily travels sends that chill up your spine? Is it Route 81 or 690? Is in the Thruway? Is it making it down a hill in your town or village? Share your story. Let's see if yours tops the one before it for near misses.

Winter driving tips from AAA. 

More tips on winter driving.

Also discussing on CNYCentral.com on Facebook.