BILLINGS – The weather in Billings is a little kinder and gentler today with temperatures reaching into the mid-70s at 2 p.m..
The big weather maker that brought us all the rain and thunderstorms Wednesday is now up in southern Saskatchewan and no longer a threat.
However, it is giving us a southwesterly flow of air as its drawing air from the southwest through Billings and into it.
At the same time, a fresh supply of moisture is moving in from the West Coast and is forecast to make its way in toward the Beartooth Mountains this evening.
The computer models are suggesting the showers will make their way to the Beartooths but not get much farther than that, so we are not expecting very much rain in the Billings.
That means we are left with mainly flooding issues today and this weekend.
When you add all the recent rain to the projected snow melt from warmer temperatures this weekend, it will only exacerbate our flooding issues.
At this moment we have a flood watch for the Yellowstone River in Billings.
The current stage is 12.6 feet deep and flood stage is 13.5 feet deep. The forecast for the Yellowstone River in Billings is 13.4 feet deep just below flood stage on Sunday.
The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone at Edgar is forecast to go above flood stage on Sunday and the same thing is true for the Yellowstone River near Livingston.
The Shields River near Livingston is also forecast to go above flood stage on Sunday.
In the meantime, the Musselshell River at Shawmut and Lavina are both out of their banks and continue to flood.
BILLINGS FORECAST
Tonight: Partly cloudy and mild with a 20 percent chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Low 56 degrees.
Friday: Mostly sunny dry and hot. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph high 86 degrees.
Saturday: Mostly sunny and still hot. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. High 86 degrees.
