Heavy rain, severe storms and even snow on tap this weekend in the Rockies, Plains
The first significant storm of the fall will throw a wrench in weekend travel and outdoor plans in parts of the western and central U.S.
Wet weather has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and for some mountainous areas, that means the first snow of the season.
In a sign of the changing seasons, a massive fall storm has swept from the Rockies to the Plains this weekend, bringing along with it a plethora of weather, say AccuWeather meteorologists.
An unusual early-October heavy rain event, strong wind gusts, an increased risk of wildfires, the threat of damaging thunderstorms and, yes—even accumulating snow—are expected to continue as a result from this storm as it moves from the West toward the nation's heartland through Sunday.
A big cooldown comes with some snow in the Rockies
After moving ashore from the Pacific and bringing rain to some West Coast locales last week, the next to feel the effects of the storm was the interior West, including the Rockies. For some in the higher elevations, it is the second opportunity this season for snow as cold air rushes south from Canada.
Less than 24 hours after the autumnal equinox last month, snow blanketed Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado. A repeat performance is expected this weekend, albeit mostly farther north and west this time across portions of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
Snow is falling at Alpine Visitor Center - taken Sept. 22, 2025, around 6 p.m. MDT. (Rocky Mountain National Park)
"As cold air pours in, elevations above 7,000 feet will pick up 2-15 inches of snow in the northern Rockies late Saturday into early Monday," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill. "The highest totals will occur in the Beartooth and Bighorn mountain ranges."
The expectation of significant snow led the National Weather Service to hoist its first winter storm watches and warnings of the season in mountainous regions.
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While most areas expected to experience accumulating snow are remote and sparsely populated, a few passes can be impacted for travelers. "Motorists traveling over the higher passes between Interstates 25 and 90 should be prepared for snow-covered roads," said Merrill.
In the valleys and cities that dot the interior West and Rockies, mostly rain is expected, but the season's first snowflakes may mix in.
As of Sunday morning, Salt Lake City was especially waterlogged, with 2.61 inches of rain falling from the storm, which is more than the historical average for all of October (1.26 inches).
“Snow will mix with rain in Livingston, Montana, Sunday night," pointed out Merrill. "The storm is right on cue with the start of the snowy period for the fall season, as the historical average first inch of snow in Livingston around Oct. 15.”
A soaking rain and severe storms in the Plains
Farther east, the storm will run into near-record warmth for early October late weekend, causing a classic clash in air masses that will lead to torrential rain and even the potential for a few damaging thunderstorms.
A soaking rain, amounting to an inch or two for most, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 4 inches, will unfold through Sunday from eastern Montana into the Dakotas. A rain of this magnitude is very unusual in this part of the country in autumn months, which are typically the driest of the calendar year.
While most of the region is not in drought conditions, agricultural interests will welcome the rain during this normally dry period. However, for some driving on highways or in more urban settings, it could be too much of a good thing, too quickly, with the chance of localized flash flooding.
To the south of the rainy area along the Plains, thunderstorms led to reports of damaging wind gusts in portions of Colorado, western Nebraska and far southern South Dakota on Saturday and Saturday night.
Thunderstorms are expected to redevelop Sunday afternoon across a zone from the Oklahoma panhandle into southeastern Nebraska. These storms will be capable of producing downpours, localized damaging wind gusts and hail.
Strong, dry winds will lead to a wildfire threat
Outside of the snow, rain and thunderstorms, one of the most impactful elements of a powerful early-autumn storm can be from no precipitation at all. Strong, gusty winds ahead of the storm, blowing from deserts of the Southwest into the Plains, will increase the risk of brush and wildfires.
An area from eastern Colorado through the northern Plains, while not a stranger to strong, gusty winds ahead of and with fall and spring storms, will be most at risk for the development of wildfires into Sunday.
A little rain expected to move into parts of the risk area late this weekend, as well as lighter and cooler winds, will quell the risk of fires into this week.
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