Even though we are battle tested, there is no telling when winter will take a turn for the worse. That is exactly what happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Blizzard and whiteout conditions took over much of the north county — especially on the State Thruway that led to at least three accidents, including one with multiple vehicles. With the weather deteriorating, first responders that included the Fredonia Fire Department and Thruway State Police made it to the scene.

Minor injuries were reported, but it begs the question: should the state Thruway have been closed? For those witnessing the change in the weather, the answer is obviously yes.

But a lot more planning needs to happen before the interstate can be shutdown.

With Thruway cameras, motorists are able to see the conditions online. From Blasdell to Hamburg on Tuesday afternoon, it was fairly clear. For those heading west, they may not have known the treacherous conditions that were ahead.

Once the accidents occurred, traffic was rerouted off the Thruway. It made for a long commute.

Warning signs along the interstate warn of dangerous travel. But the reality is there are individuals trying to get to work or make deliveries. They’re expected to get through.

Should the Thruway have been closed here Tuesday afternoon? Probably during those two hours when the storm was at its worst.

But the weather changed quickly. Closing an interstate does not take a matter of minutes. It takes a bit more planning.

Fortunately, thanks to first responders, those involved suffered minor injuries in the mishaps.