BILLINGS — We’ll see showers and thunderstorms Thursday as a deep low pressure system moves through the region along with a cold front. Some storms could become strong to severe from early afternoon to early evening, especially east of Yellowstone County as well as north central Wyoming. Strong wind gusts up to 70 mph and golf ball sized hail are the main hazards. Heavy rain at times is also possible. There is also a very LOW risk of tornado activity.

Rainfall totals of up to a quarter inch are possible in Billings and northern, southern and western areas through Friday morning. That amount is less likely in the east.

Elevations above 9,000 feet in the Beartooths and Absarokas could see several inches of snow through Friday, which could impact the Beartooth Highway.

Thursday and Friday will be cooler as the cold front moves through. Highs will be mostly between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In eastern Montana, however, temperatures may still climb to above 77 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday before cooler air moves in. Behind the front, it will be windy tonight through Friday, with gusts between 25 and 40 mph, especially in the foothills.

Due to the high pressure, dry conditions will return to the region from Friday afternoon until Monday, while temperatures will rise to 21 to 25 degrees Celsius over the weekend and early next week.

From Tuesday, another low pressure system will move into the region, bringing with it a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms in the evening. The probability is higher on Wednesday, as temperatures will cool down again, reaching highs of between 15 and 21 degrees.

-Miller Robson
Q2 Morning Meteorologist
[email protected]