BILLINGS – A few cloudy skies have rolled into Billings during the afternoon, but the temperatures continue to stay warm, mainly into the 60s.
The cloudy skies are the leading edge of the next system that is starting to produce some rain and snow showers out in Western Montana.
So far the snow is only falling in the very highest elevations of the western mountains. The rain remains in the lower elevations.
Here in Billings, we are looking at increasing clouds as the day goes on and maybe even a slight chance for sprinkler or two.
The main weather maker for today is a big ridge of high pressure that continues to dominate the central and northern Rockies.
It is responsible for the warmer temperatures in Billings and places east.
In the meantime, the next storm continues to brew off the British Columbia and Washington coast.
The computer models say a low pressure cell will move into the Pacific Northwest at 6 a.m. Thursday.
There, it will send the leading edge of moisture into southern Montana in the form of rain mixing with snow.
We expect rain throughout the middle part of the day changing back to snow Thursday night.
The snow showers should linger for Eastern Montana throughout most of the day Friday, eventually kicking out into the central Great plains, leaving Montana dry for the weekend.
The 60 degrees readings are a one-day only sale, and that sale is Tuesday. After that, the temps will be cooling down to the 40s and 50s for the rest of the week.
BILLINGS FORECAST
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance for evening showers then rain mixing with snow overnight. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Low 40 degrees.
Wednesday: Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance for morning rain and again in the afternoon. West winds 10 to 20 mph. High 55 degrees.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 90 percent chance for rain and snow in the afternoon and colder. Northeast winds 10 to 20 mph. High 44 degrees.
