Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Hawaii on alert as the Pacific ramps up with tropical activity Chevron right
Severe storms to rumble across central and eastern US Chevron right

Columbus, OH

77°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

77°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

In the wake of a massive September snowstorm, is the cold here to stay across the Northwest?

A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking cold temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.

By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist

Published Oct 1, 2019 7:59 AM EDT

Copied

There was some early snowfall in parts of California on Monday, Sept. 30, which can probably be considered a plus for the state's ski resorts, such as the Squaw Valley Resort.

A historic snowstorm that dumped feet of snow across the Northwest and brought record-breaking low temperatures has many people wondering if this is a sign of things to come this winter.

A Montana Department of Transportation webcam image shows a road still partially covered in snow in Pendroy on Monday, Sept. 30.

"During the winter of 2018-2019, the Northwest and northern Rockies were bombarded with an onslaught of storm systems that brought cold and snowy conditions to the region. In some areas of the West, record snowfall amounts were observed last winter," AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott said.

After coming off a brutally cold 2018 winter season across the region, 2019 seems to be picking up right where the previous winter left off. Great Falls, Montana, and other cities in the area are coming off one of the coldest and snowiest winter seasons on record.

The average snowfall in September in Great Falls is around 1.2 inches, and this storm dropped a whopping 19.3 inches of snow. The city of Browning, Montana, nearly reached their average annual snowfall of 59.5 inches by receiving 48 inches of snow from this storm.

In the wake of the departed system, a persistent dip in the jet stream will continue to keep temperatures well below average through the week across much of the Northwest. To go along with the persistent dip in the jet stream, low pressure systems coming in from the Pacific Ocean will also act to keep unsettled weather in the forecast for some through this week.

On Tuesday morning, Oct. 1, the mercury reached 9 degrees Fahrenheit at the Great Falls International Airport in Montana. That broke the location's previous record low of 22 F for the date set back in 1959.

The next storm system to bring valley rain and high-elevation snow will begin to impact the Pacific Northwest on Thursday. As the system tracks inland through the day and into Friday, snow levels could drop back down to around 6,000 feet, possibly bringing hazards to some area passes. This storm system will be nowhere near as powerful as the recently-departed system.

Early-season snowfall and cooler air across the high elevations of the Northwest is bringing high hopes to area ski resorts eager to continue where they left off after last year's profitable season. Some ski resorts across the Sierra, Cascades and Rockies were able to stay open much later than average this spring and summer, courtesy of the persistent cold weather and deep snowpack.

For those that are not excited for the ski season, or snow in general, the winterlike conditions are not here to stay for the season quite yet. A shift in the jet stream pattern late this weekend and into next week will bring more seasonable conditions back to much of the Northwest.

Looking ahead to the official winter season, AccuWeather expects above-normal temperatures and fewer-than-normal storm systems across the northwestern United States.

"With sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska and Arctic Ocean forecast to remain well above normal, there could be a tendency for persistent high pressure to bulge northward across the West. This would lead to abnormally dry and mild weather and a below-normal snowpack in the Cascades and Sierra Nevada," Elliott added.

Related:

1,500-mile corridor of US on alert for flooding as repeated downpours strike
New York City to challenge 82-year-old record to start October
‘I’ve never seen a storm like this:’ Montana digs out from under feet of snow after September snowstorm

For those that do not like the cold and snowy conditions, this may be good news regarding the upcoming winter season.

However, any season with below-average snowfall across the Northwest will always bring up the issue of water shortages in the following spring and summer.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay aware of the latest forecast and winter storm warnings and advisories for your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

podcast
Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

video

American Airlines passengers evacuate plane in Denver

Jul. 27, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Wildfire risk to escalate across western US through end of July

Jul. 27, 2025
Weather News

Dozens feared killed after plane crashes in Russia’s Far East

Jul. 24, 2025
Weather News

The day Niagara Falls ran dry: Here's what it looked like

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to bring a risk for flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Hurricane

Tropical development lurking in the Gulf for late July

Jul. 22, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Severe storms to rumble across central and eastern US

4 hours ago

Travel

Passengers flee burning plane on Denver runway

3 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Cooler days ahead? Major shift coming to the Northeast

5 hours ago

Weather News

Southwest Airlines jet dives as a fighter jet crosses its path near LA

1 day ago

Hurricane

Hawaii braces for gusty winds as Pacific tropics heat up

5 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Travel

AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off

4 days ago

Weather News

Firefighters rescue four cows from quicksand on riverbank

4 days ago

Weather News

South Korea's president proclaims disaster after 19 die in flooding

3 days ago

Weather News

Hershey says it is hiking chocolate prices

4 days ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

5 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News In the wake of a massive September snowstorm, is the cold here to stay across the Northwest?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...