A historic blizzard may drop over Montana and the northern Rocky Mountains this weekend.
Snow of up to 3 feet in some areas could bring winter to parts of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming over the weekend. Temperatures will dip down to the 20s and 30s during the weekend, too, according to USA Today.
About 1 to 2 feet of snow will likely fall in the mountains this weekend. Mountain ranges in Montana could see up to 40 inches, though.
The National Weather Service in Great Falls, Montana, warned blizzard conditions could hit the state with winds of 40 miles per hour.
“This early-season winter storm and/or blizzard has the potential to set a new benchmark for snow accumulations, cold temperatures and resulting impacts for parts of the Northern Rockies and the Rocky Mountain Front,” the weather service said.
Not unusual: The first snowfall in Great Falls and Helena, Montana, tends to be around Oct. 2 and Oct. 12, respectively. Higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains sometime sees snow in September, too.
However: The snow will be unusually heavy for this time of year. Travel could be impacted, too, according to Weather.com.
The snow could damage vegetation in the area since trees haven’t dropped their leaves yet, too.
“The forecast we have out is something we haven’t really seen in at least 30 years, and probably 80 years,” said Jason Anglin, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Great Falls, in an interview with The Washington Post. “It can pretty much snow any time of year [up in the mountains], but the sheer amount we’re forecasting is quite high. It’s unusual in September.”
People: Don’t worry about Montana residents, though. They’re taking a light-hearted approach to the snow storm.
“This storm’s impacting us in a positive way right now,” said Josi Brodock, manager at the Hickory Swing Golf Course in Great Falls, told The Washington Post. “People are coming out to get their final round in. It’s been busy all [Wednesday.]”
She said she’ll keep the course open when the snow melts next week.
“We don’t close until the snow sticks for two weeks.”