Montana, Wyoming Get Taste of an Early Winter Wonderland

While many across the nation are enjoying their last weekend of summer, residents in Montana are getting a taste of a winter wonderland.

Roadways became snow covered Friday afternoon, including MacDonald’s Pass, west of Helena. MacDonald’s Pass sits at an elevation around 6300 ft.

Officials from the Montana Department of Transportation urged drivers to use caution when traveling on icy roadways.

DRIVING TIPS – Traveling through Wyoming this weekend? Here's some important tips to remember from @WYDOT_Northwest #wywx pic.twitter.com/FNlVFi1r1S

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An unusually strong storm system moving through the High Plains delivered much needed precipitation to an area hit hard by wildfires.

A dip in the jet stream means a pocket of unseasonably cool air has oozed over the north central United States. This has led to temperatures as cold as 30 degrees below average.

Winter storm warnings and advisories have been issued for the higher elevations across northern Wyoming and Montana into Saturday.

Snowfall totals have already exceeded six inches in spots by Friday evening and may approach ten inches by the time the snow tapers off Saturday.

Temperatures will return close to average toward the middle of next week.

The first day of fall begins Friday, Sept. 22.

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Nick Merianos