Rare snowstorm slams Rockies states, South Dakota
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — It's still summer, but a snowstorm blanketed parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado, setting early snowfall records in some places, covering lawns and flower gardens and providing a preview of what is to come.
The snowstorm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Wyoming on Wednesday and Thursday and sent overnight temperatures plummeting into the 20s in some areas.
While snow in September is rare, it isn't unusual for local residents used to wild swings in the weather.
"I don't mind it; it is what it is," said Deann Meyer of Buffalo, Wyoming, where up to 10 inches of snow fell. "It's going to be 80 next week. That's what the weather says. Of course, that could change."
Still, it was the earliest snowfall on record for parts of Wyoming and southwest South Dakota. Temperatures hovered around freezing in Denver, forcing many gardeners to wrap their plants for protection.
Hard frosts were reported in western Montana. Kalispell reported a record low of 23 degrees Friday morning while Missoula's record low was 25, compared with 28 in 1988.
Sure hope this is the beginning of a season long weather pattern.
Spring snowmelt is where much of our water in the Southwest comes from and we could use couple of good winters to refill the reservoirs.
http://news.yahoo.com/early-snow-surprises-parts-west-south-dakota-170938592.html
