Cold & Snow Ahead

A strong Canadian cold front will move through the region today, resulting in a rapid drop in temperatures and some snow showers. The warmest readings will be early in the day, then drop or hold steady from that point on. A cold airmass will settle over the region and bring a period of much below normal temperatures for locations east of the mountains through Thursday. Periods of accumulating snowfall can also be expected, although snow totals will be generally low. The north facing slopes of the mountains and foothills will be favored.

Areas north and east of Billings will likely experience wind chill values of 20 to 35 degrees below zero tonight. Snow will fall occasionally for the next few days with accumulations of 1 to 4 inches for the plains and 5 to 12 inches for the mountains. While the cold will be entrenched in the east, it will surge in and out of western areas, so be prepared for big temperature swings.

Billings Forecast:

Today: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20s this morning, then falling to around 18 during the remainder of the day. West southwest wind 15 to 25 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

 Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -15. North northeast wind 10 to 20 mph becoming southwest 5 to 15 mph after midnight. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

 Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as -5. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

 Wednesday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 16. Wind chill values as low as -5. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.

 Thursday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. East wind 5 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.