“I am prepared. Today is the switchover to the real season.” said Nick Kozak of Oakland as he loads rock salt and a snow shovel into his van at Home Depot in Waterville on Monday.

Ryan Lorrain of New Gloucester heads to the register at Home Depot in Waterville on Monday after selecting two snow shovels to clear anticipated Tuesday snow at the special needs day care he works at in Oakland.

Jim Ramsey of Smithfield ties a new snow scoop to the top of his car at Aubuchon Hardware in Waterville on Monday before the winter’s first storm.

Brenda Emery of Clinton loads a new snow shovel into her van in the parking lot of Home Depot in Waterville on Monday before the winter’s first storm.

Eli Lewin of Freedom checks different brands of rock salt at Home Depot in Waterville on Monday. Lewin says he has been doing research and wants to get the best rock salt as Maine’s first winter storm is due to arrive on Tuesdday.

Ken Fair pulls pumpkins into a heated shed at his family’s farm in Litchfield Monday. Ken and his brother, Tom, decided to close the farm market for the season because of impending snow and relocate gourds and fruit to warmer storage.

Augusta Public Works plow operator John Zack watches his truck get filled with salt and sand at the city’s shed Monday. Up to eight inches of snow is expected on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.