BILLINGS — Two highlights: 1) Snow on Friday, and 2) serious warming by Monday.
A shallow layer of cold air makes temperatures harder to forecast for the next several days. The higher elevations will be warmer with the cold trapped at the surface. Even a difference between the Heights and downtown Billings might be felt Thursday.
Expect a mix of clouds and sun, with highs mainly in the 20s in southern Montana on Thursday. Areas closer to Livingston and northern Wyoming could easily reach the 30s. But much of eastern and northern Montana will settle for single digits and teens.
Overnight readings stay below zero in northeast and eastern Montana with additional wind chills. The rest of the area drops to teens and 20s.
A line of snow showers moves across the area Friday, reaching Billings about midday and moving into the Dakotas by evening. Most snow totals will range from a skiff to maybe 2 inches.
Winds could strengthen late tomorrow in extreme eastern Montana.
After another cooler-than-average day Saturday, a warm up gets serious Sunday. By Monday, most of eastern Montana and Northern Wyoming will be in the 30s and 40s for highs.
Billings forecast:
Thursday… Mostly to partly cloudy with a high near 28. Light and variable breeze.
Thursday night…Mostly cloudy with a low around 16. Southwest wind 5-10 mph.
Friday…Cloudy with light snow likely midday. Close to 26 for a high.