WESTERN U.S. - Is it really time for winter weather already? Well, not quite, but according to the forecasters at OpenSnow, we’re in for some snow as soon as the end of the week. Predicting more than eight inches in some corners of the West, OpenSnow says these wet conditions will help tame the massive amount of wildfires that have been permeating throughout the region.

“Just seeing early-season flakes is reason enough to get excited, and a side benefit of the upcoming storms will be a reduction in the spread of ongoing wildfires,” said OpenSnow Meteorologist Joel Gratz. “Thankfully, the upcoming storms will mostly target the same areas that have been hardest hit by the fires.”

While most of snow and rain will remain in the more northern regions of the U.S. away from growing regions in Washington and California, the wet weather does bode well for both the widespread wildfire situation throughout the west and the snowpack that provides water to agricultural areas during the dry season.

“In the higher elevations (primarily above 6,000 feet), such as Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Park, temperatures will be cold enough for 6-12 inches of snow,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark about the storm likely to appear late this week and into the weekend.

Gratz predicts we will see cooler-than-average temperatures over the northwest and the northern Rockies through almost the end of the month, as well as additional storms. He says to expect a major storm in the West coming between about September 19-23.

Until then, Washington and Oregon will start cooling down, with even cooler weather to follow for early next week. OpenSnow clocks in cities such as Portland and Seattle will hover around the 50 degree mark.

With the kick off of the snowy season in the West just over the horizon, keep following AndNowUKnow for the most up-to-date news.