What exactly does a transmission leak in a Jeep Grand Cherokee mean?

I have a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee with just around 100K miles on it. I live in cold winter weather, so I'm nervous as the cold nears and just looking for some insight into what this could mean for the winter. Is this the begining of the end of my 'older' car?|||No. Seals wear, constrict, crack, etc over time and mileage. This is normal. Your transmission has a leak. You need to have it diagnosed and fixed. If you do not and the fluid runs low, you will do damage to the transmission. It could be something simple like a pan gasket. Get it checked out.|||Our '99 GC has all kinds of small leaks from the drivetrain at 130,000 miles. Have had them for years and they never really amount to much, nor get worse. Make sure the fluids are chacked when it is serviced. Dealer wanted $500 to change the transfer case slector shaft seal, probably a $2 part, which I believe has now stopped leaking. We now have a leaking pinion shaft seal on the front axle.|||it means that your tranny is leaking and you should NOT drive it unless your going to your mechanic to have it fixed.|||could be the trans cooler lines. is the leak up front near radiator?? if its in the middle of the vehicle may just be a gasket and a trans service could fix it but they can also leak between tranny and engine which is costly have it checked at your next oil change. jeeps last FOREVER. my mom had one with 350,000 miles on it before it gave up the ghost,|||No, it just means you need to replace your seals. If it is leaking just keep your fluid level checked so you don't run your tranny low. If you keep the fluid up and you get it fixed there is no problem. If you let the fluid run out, then you are looking at a new tranny.