BILLINGS — Bitter cold wind chills in areas of blowing snow highlight Monday’s weather.
After a weekend filled with record cold and record snowfall, the current weather system is winding down. However, winds will still be brisk causing blowing and drifting with the snow already on the ground.
Hardest hit will be areas west of Billings in the mountain foothills. A Winter Weather Advisory remains into effect from Big Timber (Sweet Grass County) to Harlowton (Wheatland County) until likely midday Tuesday where wind gusts could reach 50+ mph hour causing blowing and drifting.
High temperatures will be mainly into the 20s Monday with some low 30s in the mountain foothills. Expect sunshine with just a few clouds, and breezy across the plains at times.
Overnight temperatures will be mainly in the teens and partly to mostly clear.
Highs move up to the mid-30s to mid 40s on Tuesday, with some wind especially through midday. Snow will become crusted over reducing the risk of blowing snow and expect some melting.
Highs will stay mainly in the 40s most of the work week, and we could see more 50s by the weekend overnight temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s each morning starting Wednesday.
Billings forecast:
Monday… Mostly sunny with a high near 27. Southwest wind 15 to 25 mph could cause some areas of blowing snow.
Monday night… Patches of blowing snow with West winds 15 to 25 mph. Partly cloudy with a low around 18 and wind chill values close to zero.
Tuesday… Patchy blowing snow in the morning. Otherwise, mostly sunny with a high close to 40. Westerly winds 15 to 25 mph.
