00:00A temperature plunge of up to 50 degrees could bring an early taste of winter to the western United States.
00:05A major shift in the jet stream is driving much colder air into the region, bringing rain and mountain snow.
00:12The change stretches from Washington and California to Montana and the northern Rockies.
00:17AccuWeather forecast temperatures falling 25 to 50 degrees in some locations, with Spokane potentially struggling to reach 50 degrees.
00:25The biggest concern is higher terrain, where snow could accumulate rapidly.
00:30Parts of the northern Rockies were forecast to receive 6 to 12 inches at elevations as low as 4,000
00:36feet.
00:37Glacier National Park was warned to prepare for heavy snow, while snow could also accumulate around Yellowstone.
00:43Meanwhile, tropical moisture linked in part to Hurricane Rachel could add to the rainfall across the west.
00:50Around Lake Tahoe, rain could mix with snow.
00:52While nearby Donner Pass was expected to remain wet, the key takeaway, this sharp weather reversal could affect mountain travel.
01:01So check local forecasts before heading out.
01:04Disclosure, this video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
