BILLINGS — Gusty winds will continue to highlight the weather through Tuesday.
A very strong jet stream above southern Montana (up to 170 mph) will drive strong winds to the surface. After a lull in the winds Monday evening, a cold front moving across the area Monday night through Tuesday morning will trigger more wind.
Gusts to around 60 mph are expected from the mountain foothills to across the plains Tuesday with a High Wind Warning from the National Weather Service in effect for much of the area. Winds will ease up from west to east through the day on Tuesday.
As a cold front moves through Monday night through Tuesday morning, some rain and snow showers will be likely through early Tuesday but will be limited by the wind.
Tuesday morning readings will be mainly 25 to 35 degrees with afternoon temperatures hovering around 40 or so.
Temperatures will slip to the teens Wednesday morning with the upper 20s to mid-30s for most of the highs Wednesday.
A high-pressure ridge builds in Thursday and Friday, with highs moving to the upper 30s to low 40s, close to the 30-year average for this time of the year. Expect both days to be breezy.
Looking ahead to the weekend, a cold front Saturday will bring a few scattered showers and cooler temperatures.
Billings forecast:
Monday night… Mostly cloudy with a low near 32. Scattered rain and snow showers overnight through early Tuesday.
Tuesday… A slight chance of morning showers otherwise mostly sunny in the afternoon. High near 40. Wind gusts could be as high as 60 mph.
Wednesday through Thursday… A mix of clouds and sun with lows in the teens and the highs in the 30s. Trending a little warmer and windier Thursday.
