BILLINGS — It is simply another beautiful day in our neighborhood in Billings. The beautiful blue sky out there Thursday afternoon was already melting whatever snow we had on the roadways, rooftops and vacant lots.
The temperature in Billings was 33 degrees at 2 p.m., so we are already above freezing. Our winds are out of the southwest at 21 mph, and that gives us a windchill factor that feels like 21 degrees.
Around the rest of the state, our temps are mostly to the 20s and 30s out west, but up in the north-central part of the state we have some 40s already like at Cut Bank, Great Falls and Havre. Eastern Montana is mostly in the 30s and 40s too.
The high-resolution forecast model is echoing the same thing, only thing we could see out there is a few cool temperatures in the southwest corner of the state.
We expect mostly sunny skies for the next two or three days. It really isn't until about Saturday when we start to see some high clouds roll over the mountains that afternoon.
Another weather system is moving in from the Pacific Ocean, but it looks like it'll take a more northerly track along the Hi-Line and southern Canada.
It is expected to produce around 2 to 4 inches of snow in the west and across the Hi-Line, but Billings is only expecting a light dusting of snow.
Our temps will continue to zoom up into the mid-30s Thursday, roll back to 25 Friday morning and get back up to the low 40s Friday afternoon.
In fact, we will warm up into the 40s each day Friday through Monday and then roll back down into the low 30s as we head into the middle part of next week.
BILLINGS FORECAST
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, windy and not as cold. Southwest winds 15 to 30 mph gusting to 40 mph. Low 20 degrees.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny, windy and warmer. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. High 43 degrees.
SATURDAY: Mostly sunny and warmer still. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. High 48 degrees.
