Autumn Storm Brings Snow, Rain, and Severe Threats Across the West and Plains

As of October 4th, 2025, a massive fall storm is poised to sweep from the Rockies to the Plains this weekend, bringing a plethora of extreme weather conditions. The storm is expected to bring an unusual early-October heavy rain event, strong wind gusts, an increased risk of wildfires, the threat of damaging thunderstorms, and even accumulating snow in the higher elevations of the northern Rockies.

The interior West, including the Rockies, will be the first to feel the effects of the storm. Elevations above 7,000 feet in the northern Rockies are forecast to receive 2-15 inches of snow late Saturday into early Monday, with the highest totals expected in the Beartooth and Bighorn mountain ranges. This has prompted the National Weather Service to issue its first winter storm watches of the season in these mountainous regions.

Farther east, the storm will clash with near-record warmth, leading to a soaking rain of up to 4 inches in parts of eastern Montana and the Dakotas. This heavy rainfall is highly unusual for this time of year, which is typically the driest period in the region. While the rain will be welcomed by agricultural interests, it also carries the risk of localized flash flooding. Additionally, the strengthening storm system will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms, with the threat of damaging wind gusts.

Outside of the snow and rain, the storm will also bring strong, gusty winds from the deserts of the Southwest into the Plains, significantly increasing the risk of brush and wildfires. This heightened wildfire threat is one of the first widespread concerns for the fall season in this region.