Top snow totals include Helena, Montana, with 13.4 inches of snow. Tizer Basin and East Helena each received 13 inches, while Clancy and White Sulphur Springs saw 12 inches of snow. Oct. 26, 2023.
BILLINGS, Mont. – While much of the Northern High Plains and Northern Rockies are awash in the colors of , parts of the region have turned white as the season’s first major snowstorm arrives.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in place through Friday evening for parts of , , , , and , where several inches of snow will likely coat the ground.
(FOX Weather)
Already, at least 13 inches of snow fell in Helena, Montana, along with nearby Tizer Basin and East Helena. The towns of Clancy and White Sulphur Springs saw 12 inches of snow, according to the FOX Forecast Center. , Montana, went from bare ground to a few inches of snow overnight Tuesday as the first wave of snow moved through.
Farther west, between 4 and 5 inches of snow fell across the Cascades Mountain passes in Washington.
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Snowfall on SR 542/Mt. Baker Hwy in Washington. Oct. 25, 2023. (@wsdot_north / X)
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Snow falls in Washington’s Chinook Pass on Oct. 25, 2023. (Washington Dept. of Transportation)
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Snowfall along SR 542/Mt. Baker Hwy in Washington. Oct. 25, 2023. (@wsdot_north / X)
In the northern Plains, multiple waves of heavy will continue to stretch across Montana and into North Dakota into Friday, with reaching 1 inch per hour, the National Weather Service said.
(FOX Weather)
More snow expected
Much of Montana received snow on Thursday but could have a few lingering snow showers into Friday.
Heavy snow showers will also be present for the Dakotas through Friday.
Snowfall in Great Falls, Montana. Oct. 26, 2023.
(Max Gorden / FOX Weather)
Accumulations could reach 8-12 inches where these heavier snow bands occur, particularly over northwest Wyoming and the area between southwestern and northeastern North Dakota.
“As this low and trough spins through the Intermountain West, a pretty decent swath of (snow) is expected to continue … Friday,” said FOX Weather meteorologist . “I-94 and north – that’s where we’re going to see the heaviest snow.”
(FOX Weather)
Because of this, much of the Northern Rockies and High Plains will deal with treacherous with snow- and ice-covered roads, gusty and low visibility.
With the first snow of the season, now is the time to ensure your vehicle is -ready. Motorists should assemble a and prepare for winter driving conditions, including possible icy roads.
Snowfall in Great Falls, Montana. Oct. 26, 2023.
(Max Gorden / FOX Weather)
While the snowfall has made driving a bit treacherous, it was a joyful experience for those in Montana, where the early season snowfall allowed Black Labrador puppies to experience snow for the first time.
The Montana puppies experienced snow for the first time on Wednesday, when the Northern Plains and Pacific Northwest saw an early season snowfall. (Courtesy: Blessed Doodles of Turah via Storyful)
Frigid temperatures follow the snow
In the wake of the first snow to send temperatures plummeting.
Temperatures will be well below average by 20-30 degrees across the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains through the weekend, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Low temperatures in the teens and single digits will be the norm over much of Montana and into the Northern Plains.
(FOX Weather)
may dip below zero at times.
It’s possible the snow cover could be sticking around through Halloween weekend, with temperatures remaining below freezing across the region into next week.