Snow has hit the US states of California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. The so-called winter storm began blasting parts of the west with up to three feet of snow this weekend. The massive amount has smashed records with further low temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions forecast on Monday.
CNN meteorologist Ivan Cabrera said: “If the forecast pans out, this would rival or surpass the 1934 winter storm which was for many areas the top early-season snowfall event on record.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) has called the freezing storm “historic”, with temperatures dropping as much as 30 degrees below normal.
NWS said: “Many daily record low maximum temperature records are possible through Monday, especially across the Northern Great Basin, Rockies and Northern California.”
The agency has issued winter weather advisories as a result of the cold snap for parts of California.
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The advisory is valid through 5pm local time on Monday, September 30, it said.
The NWS warns of snow covered roads, slippery roads, reduced visibility and travel delays.
The weather warnings are in place from Western Plumas County, Lassen Park and West Slop Northern Sierra, Nevada.
The agency urged residents to be “prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving,” adding: “The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.”
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Montana Governor Steve Bullock has declared a winter storm emergency in his state.
He said: “With an unprecedented winter storm throwing our state a surprise in September, state and local governments are working closely together to protect the health and safety of Montanans and our top priority is making sure that happens.”
Great Falls, Montana, got a preliminary reading of 9.7 inches of snow on Saturday, which would set a new daily snowfall record, beating the previous record in 1954 by 3.6 inches.
High winds has downed trees and power lines, forcing temporarily closures to some roads and triggering cellular and power outages.
The town of Browning, near Glacier National Park, recorded 40 inches of snow on Sunday.
In addition, more than a foot of snow fell in parts of northeastern Washington.
One of the cities in the area, Spokane, got much less snow, but it was the area’s first recorded September snow since 1926.
In Oregon, the NWS reported hail and wind damage from gusts of up to 55mph in Portland.
The Cascade Mountains got up to 10 inches of snow, where the weather service’s Portland office tweeted: “It’s a winter wonderland up in the Cascades.”