BILLINGS — The coldest days are here.
Very cold air will hold readings to the single digits above and below zero Tuesday afternoon. It will likely be the coldest day overall across eastern Montana, although readings in the 20s and low 30s are reachable in northern Wyoming.
Periods of light snow are likely with accumulations of an inch or less scattered across the area. A few places may pick up a couple of inches, especially in the mountains and adjacent areas through Wednesday morning.
Fortunately, winds remain generally light. But wind chill values will stay sub-zero most of the time.
The warmer air is sitting not too far off the surface, and that could make the difference between hitting highs in the 20s on Wednesday and Thursday or only making the teens if the cold air holds tight.
Friday is our best chance of snow with high temperatures in the 20s. Drier and warmer with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens to low 20s.
Billings forecast:
Tuesday... Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow showers. High near 4.
Tuesday night... Cloudy to mostly cloudy with scattered light snow. Low near -6.
Wednesday... Mostly sunny and about 19 for the high.
