BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -

First snowstorm: An early winter storm that blasted in from the Rockies dumped heavy snow across the region, knocking out power to thousands and forcing National Guard soldiers to rescue stranded motorists.

Up to 2 feet of snow had fallen by Wednesday night in parts of North Dakota, with winds gusting to 50 mph.

A blizzard warning was in effect through Thursday for the Devils Lake area in the north-central part of the state. In Wyoming, schools in a number of communities were either closed or delayed because of snowfall and blackouts.

"It is, on our records, probably one of the earliest ones, as far as our recorded history goes, in 126, 130 years," said Sam Walker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.