It’s a sign of just how cold this winter has already been. CAA announced Monday that December 2013 will go down as their busiest month in history.

The auto club serviced more than 18,400 members in the last 30 days, and the month isn’t over yet. It’s unusual to receive so many calls in December because this month is usually slower, a CAA spokesperson said.

“Typically, January sees more snow and is far colder,” said Liz Peters in a news release. “This year, so far has been the exact opposite of that trend.”  

The previous record was recorded this past January, with 18,784 members serviced.

People like Len Hew helped contribute to the new record. His car got stuck in a snowbank on Saturday.

"We tried to go out but we got stuck here,” he said. “Some of the neighbours tried to help me dig it out but they couldn't."

With so many people needing assistance - you may have to exercise a little patience waiting for help to arrive.

"Wait times do become an issue when it gets this cold,” said Peters. “Cars aren't just cold, they're frozen solid, so if a battery needs boosting, that'll usually take around two to three hours on a day like today. But if you need a tow, you're going to be waiting a little bit longer, maybe in the five or six-hour range."

Peters said CAA prioritizes calls in severe weather, bumping people who may be in danger to the top of the list.

"The people that are on the side of the road in an unsafe situation, we'll get to them as fast as possible, so wait times will vary depending on what kind of circumstances you're in."

In the most extreme conditions, people like Len Hew just choose to stay home. "I have to turn and then go back to the garage,” he said. “This is a bad day to come out, so cold, and so much snow."

CAA recommends people keep an emergency kit in their vehicles.

CAA is also on track to break the record for the busiest three-month period since they started tracking the number of calls in 2005. Over October, November and December, CAA Manitoba serviced 38,400 members, and they expect around 1,000 more people to need help between now and New Year’s.

The last record for that same period, set in 2008, was 38,420.

Environment Canada predicts the deep freeze to last at least until Jan. 2, 2014. CAA recommends drivers plug their cars in every night and during the day at work.

- With a report by Ben Miljure