Residents in parts of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming are preparing for an early season snowstorm.
National Weather Service officials issued winter storm warnings and watches in western Montana, northwestern Wyoming and the Idaho panhandle from Friday evening through Sunday.
The NWS said the storm could be ‘a historically significant early season snow event’ that brings record cold for September.
‘It looks like valley #snow is becoming more likely. Accumulations will be minimal, but for so early in the season, it will be a major impact, along w/all the other impacts we’ll see. Suffice to say: this will be a historic storm,’ the NWS tweeted.
Up to 3 feet of snow and blizzard conditions are forecast for the plains along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front.
Residents in parts of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming are preparing for an early season snowstorm. Forecasters said the storm could be ‘a historically significant early season snow event’
Up to 3 feet of snow and blizzard conditions are forecast for the plains along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front
National Weather Service officials issued winter storm warnings and watches in western Montana, northwestern Wyoming and the Idaho panhandle from Friday evening through Sunday
The heaviest snow and most extreme conditions are forecast to occur on Saturday and Sunday
The heaviest snow and most extreme conditions are forecast to occur on Saturday and Sunday.
The NWS warned that travel would be ‘hazardous’ due to snow and there is the potential of ‘life-threatening’ backcountry conditions.
Forecasters are predicting that there will be downed trees and power lines as well as wind damage to docks and marinas.
There will likely be agricultural damage from record cold temperatures.
Officials encouraged residents to get prepared as soon as possible due to possible power outages.
They said residents should stock up on food, move vehicles away from trees and power poles and prepare flashlights with fresh batteries.
‘This is a significant fall storm, that could produce significant widespread impacts. Near blizzard conditions are possible in some areas,’ the NWS said in a situation report.
‘Power outages could be widespread and last much longer than normal if the outages become widespread.’
North Central Montana will see the most impacts, but portions of southwest Montana will also become impacted
According to the NWS, this weekend’s storm is ‘only the first phase of a prolonged period of cold and wet weather’
North Central Montana will see the most impacts, but portions of southwest Montana will also become impacted.
Officials said hunters who have outdoor plans should prepare for ‘cold, wet weather’.
And to make matters even worse, more snow is expected next week.
According to the NWS, this weekend’s storm is ‘only the first phase of a prolonged period of cold and wet weather’.
‘Some wet snowfall is possible across the entire region Sunday night through next Tuesday or Wednesday.’
High temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend into early next week.
Storms of this magnitude have not happened since 1934, officials said. Pictured is Billings, Montana, in 2007
In early October 2017, the Havre area received over 12 inches of snow, with Rocky Boy receiving over two feet of snow, along with widespread power outages in this region
By Sunday and into Monday highs across the area will be in the 30s to 40s.
Storms of this magnitude have not happened since 1934.
In early October 2017, the Havre area received over 12 inches of snow, with Rocky Boy receiving over two feet of snow, along with widespread power outages in this region
Meanwhile, high wind and low humidity prompted weather service officials to issue fire danger warnings in central and southeastern Wyoming on Thursday.
They say any fire that develops will likely spread rapidly.