Forget falling. In some parts of the Northwest, the weather this week is heading straight into winter.
In fact, people in parts of the northwestern United States are getting an early taste of winter weather this week, with the forecast calling for mild temperatures and some snowflakes at the highest elevations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
In some locations, these will be the first snowflakes since last winter. “A cold storm system descending from western Canada will bring opportunities for snow accumulation at the highest elevations in the Northwest,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr said.
“Dangerous conditions” for anyone caught unprepared
Winter weather warnings remained in effect Thursday in parts of Idaho and Montana due to expected snowfall, which could reach up to 10 inches on Montana's mountaintops. “People who engage in outdoor recreational activities should be prepared for winter conditions,” the National Weather Service in Missoula, Montana, said.
“The weather system will bring cold and wet conditions to remote areas today,” the Meteorological Service said Thursday. “The primary locations affected will be northwestern Montana near the Continental Divide, including Glacier National Park, and the high elevations of southwestern Montana.
“Snow levels will drop to about 6,500 feet during the day Thursday. Additionally, east winds will blow at 30 to 40 mph. This will create dangerous conditions for anyone caught off guard.”
In Pendleton, Oregon, the weather service said, “Snow levels will drop to about 6,000 feet, and the Wallowa and Elkhorns will see at least several inches of snow. Hunters, campers and hikers should prepare for this coming cold and wet weather.” weather.”
Freezing temperatures were reported in Oregon, California
In eastern Oregon and far northern California, the weather service posted a freeze warning Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. “Wide areas of below-freezing low temperatures are likely east of the Cascades Wednesday night into Thursday morning,” the weather service in Medford, Oregon, said.
Klamath Falls, Oregon, reported a high of 30 degrees early Thursday morning, while temperatures in far northern California dropped into the upper 20s, the weather service said.
Temperatures in the area were expected to drop to 19 degrees in some areas, and the weather service warned that “frost and freezing conditions could kill crops and other sensitive plants and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
Leaves change:Your visual guide to the autumnal equinox
No snow in the cities
Although temperatures will drop this week, snow is not expected in major cities in the Northwest, such as Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Reno, Nevada, AccuWeather said.
The weather service said the snow and cold temperatures are courtesy of an upper-level low pressure area settling in the area. By late week, low temperatures will drop into the 30s and 40s at night in the Pacific Northwest, north of the Great Basin, and north of the Rocky Mountains.
These temperatures are about 10 to 15 degrees below seasonal averages, AccuWeather said.
Skiers will have to wait a bit
The snow won't be heavy enough or in the right places to open ski areas in the Northwest this week, though that pattern could cause excitement for avid skiers anxiously awaiting the opening of mountain resorts, AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glennie said.
“Typically, ski resorts across the Rockies and Cascades open sometime between late October and November, depending on seasonal conditions and location,” she said.
The warmest mid-to-late September temperatures are expected by the end of the week across the Northwest, AccuWeather said.
