There's a strong possibility that ghosts and goblins won't be the only things howling around town this week.

As Halloween approaches, the weather has a trick of its own in store. Rain, wind and even snow are in the forecast.

"It's going to be a busy weather week," said National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Rudge.

A moisture-packed weather system still offshore in the Pacific Ocean is headed this way. The storm's exact track was uncertain Monday, but the region will feel its impact on Wednesday and Thursday. Early predictions have the storm taking a path anywhere from southeast Montana to eastern Nebraska, according to Rudge. One thing Rudge can guarantee: Wherever the storm hits, its bag of treats will include a lot of moisture.

"If you have travel plans this week, keep a close eye on the weather," Rudge said.

The Nebraska panhandle, central Nebraska and south-central South Dakota could take the brunt of the storm, according to Rudge.

"For those areas, this storm could produce a lot of snow," Rudge said. "By the time it gets out into the central plains, it's going to be a very mature storm."

Early predictions speculate that the storm could drop between 10 to 20 inches of snow in western Nebraska.

Lows are expected to remain in the lower 20s with highs in the lower 30s as the storm moves through the area, which means rain and rain changing to snow are likely.

After a month of cool temperatures, October is about to become the third coolest on record for Rapid City when highs and lows are combined, Rudge said. Temperatures have stayed 10 to 11 degrees below average.

"We're going to end the month with an average temperature of 38 to 38.5 degrees (in the city)," Rudge said.

The chilliest October on record was in 1925 when the monthly average was 35.1 degrees.

So far this month, Rapid City has received 2.23 inches of precipitation, more than 1 inch above a typical October moisture level of 1.43 inches.

Rudge, who admits he still has a few outdoor projects that need doing, did offer a few words of encouragement for anyone wondering what happened to fall.

"The long-range forecast keeps telling us that it should warm up and dry out," Rudge said.

Contract Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com