BILLINGS — We are now starting the second week of December and still talking about grassland fires.
A combination of low humidity (relative humidity could drop to the teens Tuesday afternoon), very warm temperatures (close to a few record highs), and strong winds (gusts to 55 mph possible in the mountain foothills) increase the risk of wildfires and rangeland fires that could spread quickly. Avoid causing a spark!
High temperatures will be mainly into the 40s and 50s in the mountain foothills, and 50s to mid 60s across the Eastern plains of Montana and through northern Wyoming Tuesday afternoon. Overnight temperatures remain very mild in the upper 20s to upper 30s.
A couple of disturbances will move through the area, increasing clouds Tuesday night through Wednesday and starting a downshift in temperatures. Wednesday will still be very mild with readings in the 40s and 50s.
As a cold front passes through late Wednesday through early Thursday, expect periods of wind but the chance of widespread showers will remain low.
Highs will be mainly 35 to 45 on Friday, and then expect mainly the 30s over the weekend with continued dry weather. Temperatures will level off into the 30s to mid 40s next week.
Billings forecast:
Tuesday… Mostly sunny with a high near 59. West wind 15 to 25 mph with occasionally stronger gusts.
Tuesday night… Partly to mostly cloudy and breezy through the evening. A low near a very mild 37.
Wednesday… Mostly sunny and pleasant with a high near 55.
