Drew Vanfossen News Today

HELENA, Mont. — The first major snowstorm of the season is expected to hit the northern Cascades, Rockies and North Dakota this week, sending residents searching for their winter coats, gloves and boots and facing much different driving conditions after a warm fall in many places. The National Weather Service

Cold air moving down from northwestern Canada has combined with a moist Pacific weather system, leading to freezing temperatures and snowfall amounts up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) in the mountains of Montana, the National Weather Service forecasts. Some higher elevations in the northern Rockies could see snow totals of 2 feet (61 centimeters) or more.

The storm was forecast to come in waves, beginning with rain that fell Tuesday -- record-setting rain in the Twin Cities.

Temperatures were just in the 80s. "If that's not a shock to your system, I don't know what is."

The first major snowstorm of the season is expected to hit the northern Cascades and Rockies and North Dakota this week, sending residents searching for their winter coats and facing

Amid last week’s below-freezing temperatures, a Helena school bus driver came up with a warm idea.

A day in the life of a Helena school bus driver.

Helena Public Schools will be handing out ID cards to students who ride the bus starting early next week.