A cold late-August storm system will bring accumulation snow to parts of Montana on Wednesday. The storm system is diving southward out of British Columbia and will track along the United States border near northern Idaho and Montana throughout the day Wednesday. This cold upper lever system will plummet snow levels to 5,000 feet in parts of Idaho and Montana.

Low snow levels along with strong lift and adequate moisture will lead to pockets of moderate snow that will accumulate above 5,000 feet for these areas. Ahead of the snow, the Missoula National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for locations above 5,000 feet at Glacier National Park and the Seeley Swan Region, including Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass along U.S. 2. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 6AM to 6PM Wednesday.

**Winter Weather Advisory**
![Winter Weather Advisory](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Winter_Weather_Advisory_9191af003f.JPG)

Areas within the Winter Weather Advisory will see 3-6 inches of snow accumulations with greater totals in the highest elevations.

**Modeled snow accumulations**
![Modeled snow accumulations ](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Modeled_snow_accumulations_7a4f0b0281.png)

If you are recreating or going out into the backcountry, please be aware of the drastic drop in temperatures, rain changing to snow, and wind that is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours.

Winter Weather Advisory

A late summer winter storm will bring several inches of snow to parts of Montana

Winter Weather Advisory issued for parts of Montana, including Glacier National Park, several inches of snow expected

The seasons are changing, and it is evident in the higher terrain at the higher latitudes. Just days after snow blanked the highest peaks of Northern California, including Mount Shasta, more snow is in the forecast for parts of the west this week.

**Snowy Saturday (August 24) morning at Mount Shasta**
![Snowy Saturday (August 24) morning at Mount Shasta](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Snowy_Saturday_August_24_morning_at_Mount_Shasta_5c29215bc9.jpg)

A cold storm system and associated Pacific cold front will drop snow levels overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning as low as 6,000 feet in the northern U.S. Rockies across Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, this does include the mountains at Glacier National Park. There is even the potential for some snow along the Cascade ridgeline in Washington State on Tuesday.

**Upper-level weather pattern midweek (green colors depict where the cold upper storm system is located during this time)**
![Upper-level weather pattern midweek (green colors depict where the cold upper storm system is located during this time)](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Upper_level_weather_pattern_midweek_green_colors_depict_where_the_cold_upper_storm_system_is_located_during_this_time_6a2d60d80c.png)

Accumulations will not be significant, nor will they impact valleys or populated areas, but it is possible a coating to 1 inch could fall as low as 6,000 feet with a few inches for the highest peaks. 

**Modeled snow accumulation forecast**
![Modeled snow accumulation forecast](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Modeled_snow_accumulation_forecast_57af607ccf.png)

This cold strong system is the same system responsible for driving in a cold front into the Northern Plains late in the week that will move south into the Southern Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes. This will deliver below normal temperatures over Labor Day Weekend into the first week of September for these areas.

**Temperature departure from normal late week (blue/purple colors depict temperatures below normal, red/orange colors depict temperature above normal)**
![Temperature departure from normal late week (blue/purple colors depict temperatures below normal, red/orange colors depict temperature above normal)](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/orange_colors_depict_temperature_above_normal_fa73be92b9.png)

**8–14-day temperature outlook from the CPC**
![8–14-day temperature outlook from the CPC](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/8_14_day_temperature_outlook_from_the_CPC_e47e802c94.png)

Snowy Saturday (August 24) morning at Mount Shasta

A cold storm system will bring more mountain snow to the west this week, cooler air moves east into Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes

More snow to blanket the Rockies this week, cold air with system moves into central, eastern parts of the country

A break from the intense summer heat is on the way to Oklahoma as a pattern change brings cooler, below normal temperatures and increased rain chances. The heat ridge that's been baking Oklahoma over the weekend will gradually build east throughout this upcoming week (the last week of August) and weaken, opening the door for cold front to arrive late this upcoming week as a trough dives into the Northern Plains.

**Upper-air weather pattern late this week (ridge—red/orange eastern U.S., trough—yellow/green Northern Plains)**
![Upper-air weather pattern late this week (ridge—red/orange eastern U.S., trough—yellow/green Northern Plains)](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/green_Northern_Plains_79d870e5a1.png)

This initial cold front late this week will be followed by another, potentially stronger, cold front on Labor Day Weekend. This cold front appears to pack more of a punch, dropping high temperatures well below normal from late Labor Day weekend into the first half of the first week of September. Highs for most of Oklahoma, outside of far southern Oklahoma, will fall into the mid to upper-80s late week with lows falling into the mid to upper 60s. Southern Oklahoma will stay around 90 with lows around 70. Then over the weekend, with the second cold front, parts of northern and central Oklahoma could see highs fall into the mid to upper 70s with lows around 60, possibly some upper 50, especially in the Panhandle. Southern Oklahoma will finally see the comfortable temperatures with highs dipping into the 80s and lows in the 60s late Labor Day Weekend into the first half of that following week. During this timeframe, temperatures are trending below normal, which is depicted by the Climate Prediction Center's 8-14-day temperature outlook.

**8–14-day temperatures outlook from the CPC (blue colors show temperatures are leaning below normal)**
![8-14 day temperature outlook from the CPC](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/8_14_day_temperature_outlook_from_the_CPC_8e32b819ef.png)

Along with the cooler temperatures these cold fronts provide, rain chances will also increase with these fronts along with a few weak disturbances traversing the Sooner State. This will increase the rain chances and cloud coverage, only helping to keep temperatures below normal and help out with the expanding, intensifying drought over parts of the state. Rain chances will be in the forecast from Thursday through Labor Day Weekend with the best coverage and heaviest totals currently expected across northern and central Oklahoma. It should also be noted, a coastal system impacting Texas could sling enough moisture into southeastern Oklahoma to generate isolated storms each afternoon from Tuesday through Thursday that'll be enhanced via the Ouachita Mountains. 

**7-day precipitation forecast from the WPC**
![7-day precipitation forecast from the WPC](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/7_day_precipitation_forecast_from_the_WPC_a56c5acc3f.png)

8-14 day temperature outlook from the CPC

Cooler temperatures and rain chances on the way to Oklahoma

Pattern change will bring cooler temperatures to Oklahoma and increase rain chances

It was a hot Friday afternoon across the Sooner State. The hottest air temperatures were observed in southwestern Oklahoma where temperatures soared between 110-113. Air temperatures closer to I-35 and points east weren't as hot as what was observed in southwestern Oklahoma but the higher humidity made it feel just as warm with heat indices upwards of 115 in parts of central and southern Oklahoma.

**Friday's high temperatures**
![Friday's high temperatures](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Friday_s_high_temperatures_fd14146d6c.png)
**Friday's maximum heat index**
![Friday's maximum heat index](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Friday_s_maximum_heat_index_a8e93187db.png)

The hot temperatures will stick around into the second to last weekend of August with high temperatures ranging from 105-110 in western Oklahoma with upper 90s to around 100 from central into eastern Oklahoma as the heat ridge builds over the state. The southerly flow stays in place which will send heat indices between 110-115 for a good chunk of the eastern and southern parts of the state. Overnight temperatures stay quite warm too in the mid to upper 70s to around 80 degrees in some areas. Because of the high heat and no relief overnight, most of Oklahoma is under an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory on Saturday. Luckily, there will be a stiff southerly breeze, which will make the temperatures feel more manageable but could make for choppy lake waters and increase the fire danger in western Oklahoma where the humidity is lower.

**Saturday's heat alerts**
![Saturday's heat alerts](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Saturday_s_heat_alerts_d69ef0e4d6.png)

There's a low-end chance for isolated storms in northwestern Oklahoma Friday evening, then again Saturday morning in northern and central Oklahoma, and another chance Saturday afternoon across northwestern Oklahoma. Isolated storms are possible across northeastern Oklahoma Sunday afternoon. Please move off the lakes if storms approach. 

**Rain accumulation forecast next 48-hours**
![Rain accumulation forecast next 48-hours](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Rain_accumulation_forecast_next_48_hours_dd28b85a64.png)

There's some relief in the forecast looking beyond midweek. A cold front approaches the state on Thursday along with a couple systems approaching from the south and southwest that will bring cooler temperatures along with increasing cloud coverage and rain chances. The exact details are still murky but will be fine-tuned over the coming days. Confidence is increasing that temperatures will trend below normal late next week into Labor Day Weekend, possibly extending into part of the first week of September which is depicted on the Climate Prediction Center's 8-to-14-day temperature outlook.

**8-to-14-day temperature outlook**
![8-to-14-day temperature outlook](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/8_to_14_day_temperature_outlook_aefff54b05.png)

8-to-14-day temperature outlook

Intense summer heat sticks around for Oklahoma but cooler temperatures and rain are in the extended forecast

The heat sticks around this weekend for Oklahoma but there's relief in sight

A strong, cold storm system (for late August) will bring widespread wetting rain to western Washington, chilly temperatures and even some snow to the highest peaks in the Cascades.

The culprit for the active weather pattern is a potent upper area of low pressure off the Pacific Northwest coast that will keep the region unsettled through Saturday. This low pressure will send a couple disturbances into western Washington on Friday. The first one is traversing the area Friday morning with another Friday evening and then the main upper low moves inland over the weekend. This will act to keep a strong onshore flow in place creating cloudy skies and even some fog, bringing cool temperatures and keeping periodic rain chances in the forecast.

The most widespread heavy rain arrives overnight Friday into the first half of Saturday. By the time it's all said and done, western Washington will see a widespread quarter to half an inch of rain with heavier amounts from North Puget Sound (Everett north) to the Canadian border, the foothill communities and the Cascades where 1-2 inches are possible. 
![Precipitation forecast next 48 hours](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Precipitation_forecast_next_48_hours_0e5fa4d7ca.png)
![Precipitation forecast next 48 hours western Washington](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Precipitation_forecast_next_48_hours_western_Washington_4c3c7a240a.png)
The highest peaks in the cascades will see snow overnight Friday into early Saturday. Light accumulations are possible (well above pass level) with several inches for Tahoma (Mount Rainier). Keep this in mind if you're hiking or camping in the mountains. A few lightning strikes are possible anywhere in western Washington Friday and Saturday.
![Snow forecast next 48 hours](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Snow_forecast_next_48_hours_2c0f5b7f16.png)
![Snow forecast next 48 hours Tahoma](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Snow_forecast_next_48_hours_Tahoma_66551d0922.png)
Temperatures Friday and Saturday will stay mainly in the 60s, just a few degrees off from record cold daily high temperatures. A gradual improvement and increase in temperatures begins on Sunday into early next week.

Rainy Seattle

A strong late summer storm brings rain to Seattle, snow to the mountains

Cool, damp weather on the way to Seattle, western Washington with some snow for the highest elevations

It has been a long, hot summer but there are signs starting to show that fall and winter are right around the corner. The days are growing shorter, earlier sunsets and later sunrises, and cooler air is beginning to slowly build at higher latitudes, and a fairly cold storm system for the time of year could bring the first snow of the 2024-2025 season to the higher terrain across parts of the West.

A strong, cold upper area of low pressure will approach the Pacific Northwest on Friday before lifting northeast across the Interior Northwest and weakening over the weekend. This low pressure system will pack a punch, dropping temperatures for this region and dropping snow levels.

![Temperature departure from normal Friday and Saturday](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Temperature_departure_from_normal_Friday_and_Saturday_fb5e6a8b47.png)

The areas that have the highest odds to see snow include the highest elevations of the Cascades in Washington, Oregon and northern California, the California Sierra-Nevadas and the U.S. northern Rockies in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Wet flakes cannot be completely ruled out in Utah and Colorado as well. The snow level will fall to around 8,000 feet late Friday into Saturday from Washington to California with wet snow possible all the way down to 7,000 feet. No accumulations are expected below 8,000 feet but a dusting is possible at 8,000 feet with a few inches above 10,000 feet. As the system moves northeast across the U.S. northern Rockies, it'll weaken but still drop snow levels down to 10,000 where accumulations are possible in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana Saturday into Sunday.

![Snow accumulation forecast Friday through Sunday](https://firsthandweather.s3.amazonaws.com/Snow_accumulation_forecast_Friday_through_Sunday_333415dcd6.png)

The forecast snow won't cause any significant issues for people traveling or vacationing out west, but if you do plan on hiking or camping in the backcountry of this region, keep in mind it will get cold and stormy so plan accordingly. Snow in late August is not unheard of for these areas but it is a rare occurrence, and a sign of the changing seasons as we edge closer to fall and winter.

Snowflake

A cold storm system could bring snow to the western mountains

All blogs

Winter Weather Advisory issued for parts of Montana, including Glacier National Park, several inches of snow expected

More snow to blanket the Rockies this week, cold air with system moves into central, eastern parts of the country

Pattern change will bring cooler temperatures to Oklahoma and increase rain chances

The heat sticks around this weekend for Oklahoma but there's relief in sight

Cool, damp weather on the way to Seattle, western Washington with some snow for the highest elevations

First snow of the season possible this weekend for parts of the West