First winter storm of the season brings snow to the Black Hills and northern Plains as Alaska gets up to 16 inches

The first wintry blast of the season is arriving in parts of the northern U.S. this week. A slow-moving storm that brought flooding rain to the Southwest and Rockies is expected to finish with snow over the Black Hills and northern Plains on Monday, Oct. 26, while the National Weather Service has winter storm warnings up for parts of interior Alaska.

Where is the winter storm hitting?

The same storm that brought rain to Southern California and severe weather and flash flooding to the deserts and Rockies last week is turning colder as it moves toward the Dakotas, AccuWeather reported. From Sunday night into Monday night, colder air wrapping into the system is expected to produce an area of heavier snow across:

• The Black Hills of South Dakota, where several inches are possible
• Eastern Wyoming and northwestern Nebraska
• Parts of southwestern North Dakota
• Eastern Montana and western Minnesota

“There is the potential for several inches of snow to fall over the Black Hills of South Dakota,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Smerbeck said. “A slushy accumulation can occur in Rapid City, South Dakota, especially on non-paved surfaces on Monday, when it is most likely to snow the hardest.”

Rain mixed with wet snow was also expected over the higher elevations of the Rockies in Colorado and Wyoming. AccuWeather said the Denver metro area and most of the Colorado River basin should miss the snow.

How much snow will Rapid City get?

Totals in the lower elevations are uncertain. KOTA’s First Alert Weather team in Rapid City said Rapid City could see a slushy inch or two, but called that a possibility rather than a firm forecast because warm ground could limit how much sticks. Higher parts of the Black Hills could get 2 to 3 inches, according to KOTA’s forecast, while AccuWeather put the potential at several inches.

Behind the storm, temperatures could fall into the upper 20s Monday night into Tuesday morning in western South Dakota, which could mean a hard freeze for places that have avoided one so far, KOTA said. Temperatures are expected to recover toward average by Halloween.

Winter storm warnings in Alaska

In the latest National Weather Service warning summary checked early Monday, the only winter storm warnings in effect were in Alaska. The National Weather Service office in Fairbanks warned of:

The weather service said travel “could be very difficult,” including along parts of the Dalton Highway. Nearby areas, including the Fairbanks metro area, were under winter weather advisories for a wintry mix and lighter snow.

Rain and severe weather to the south

The storm isn’t done with the southern half of the country either. AccuWeather said additional heavy rain could worsen flooding in parts of Colorado and New Mexico, where major to record flooding has hit parts of the San Juan River. Hail and damaging wind gusts remain possible in New Mexico and West Texas into Monday evening, with a chance of a couple of brief tornadoes.

Winter driving tips

If you’re traveling in the snow zone Monday, check local forecasts and road reports first. Slow down, leave extra room between vehicles and keep a flashlight, food and water in your car, as the weather service advises for winter travel.

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