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Hurricane Moisture Fuels Rockies Snowstorm
8 Oct
Summary
- Snowfall is expected in the Northern Rockies from Oct. 10-12.
- Moisture from Hurricane Rachel contributes to snow.
- Up to a foot of snow possible in higher elevations.
Forecasters are predicting the first widespread snowfall of the season across the Northern Rockies from Saturday, October 10, through Monday, October 12. This event is unusual as it will be fueled partly by moisture from the remnants of the eastern Pacific's Hurricane Rachel. Up to a foot of snow is possible at elevations as low as 4,000 feet in parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
The remnants of Hurricane Rachel will interact with a low-pressure system, bringing significant rainfall to the Southwest before the cold air behind a front lowers snow levels across the northern Rockies. This rare circumstance is expected to bring heavy, wet snow, potentially causing power outages due to its weight on trees and power lines. This pattern change signifies cooler weather across the western U.S. after a recent heatwave.
