A strong storm system starts to affect the area Thursday.
The weather system we have been tracking the last several days has taken a slight turn to the North. This will bring the greatest impacts of accumulating snow in areas North of Billings and to the East.
More the precipitation from Billings to the South will fall as rain with the best chance of snow remaining Thursday night through Friday morning.
Expect rain showers or a rain snow mix throughout the day with highs in the 30s to low 40s. Warmer temperatures in the 50s through northern Wyoming could even initiate an afternoon thunderstorm.
Precipitation will change to all snow this evening and overnight. That is when the highest snow accumulations will occur.
Expect dangerous travel with slushy roads and blowing snow.
The wet heavy snow will also weigh on trees and power lines with potential power outages. Cold, wet and windy conditions will be hard on young livestock. Be careful not to over exert shoveling heavy snow.
Areas from Harlowton to Roundup extending all the way to the North Dakota line are now under Winter Storm Warnings. Accumulations in these areas could reach 5 to 8 inches with blowing and drifting snow.
The mountains of south-central Montana extending into the Cody foothills are also under Winter Storm Warnings. The higher elevations could reach 6 to 12 inches, with up to 18 inches possible in a few locations.
The rest of the region, including Yellowstone County and Billings, are under winter weather advisories. Snow totals in these areas tonight through tomorrow will be in the 3 to 6 inch range.
Billings forecast:
Thursday… Rain and snow with a high near 41. Northerly breeze 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday night… Rain/snow mix becomes all snow late in the evening. Expect 2 to 4 inches of accumulation. Overnight low near 29.
Friday… Snow likely in the morning, with a chance of rain in the afternoon. Otherwise turning mostly cloudy with a high of about 39.
