First Major Winter Storm of the Season Sweeps Northern US, Blanketing Northern Plains and Rockies With Heavy Snow

Meteoric Change from Summer to Winter Threatens Travel and Agriculture in Multiple States, with Montana Bearing the Brunt; Expected Snowfall from 8 to 18 Inches and Sub-Freezing Temperatures.

The first major winter storm of the season has revved up over the northern US, bringing about a significant shift from summery temperatures to freezing conditions and heavy snowfall. Notebook areas like Montana and North Dakota, have seen between 8 to 18 inches of snow.
A gritty combination of cold air sweeping down from northwestern Canada and a moist Pacific weather system promises up to 2 feet of snow in higher elevations, leading to arduous travel conditions on icy highways and snowy mountain passes.
The sudden weather change has spurred some residents to switch out their tires and service their sprinkler systems, coping with the 40-degree temperature drop that saw cities like Helena and Great Falls go from the 80s to 60s accompanied by heavy snow within a week.
Forecasters have stated that the first snowfall of the season is always the most dangerous, as people need time to get accustomed to the weather change. This change noticeably affects driving habits, requiring slower speeds, managed traction, and extended stopping distances.
Besides the initial hardships, meteorologists predict much colder conditions for the coming weeks. The National Weather Service anticipates the cold front to move east by next week and estimates lower than average temperature readings throughout the country.