BILLINGS – We are starting to see a change in our weather pattern, one that is more typical for this time of year: splash-and-dash showers.
This is the time of year when thunderstorms will develop over the mountains and move onto the plains.
The thunderstorms mix with the 80 degree temperatures, which, in turn gives the storms more lift, and that’s what thunderstorms need to grow.
Our thunderstorm outlook for Wednesday does show a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms to include Billings and Glasgow, while an increased risk of severe storms is present out west.
The Doppler radar shows a few thunderstorms moving around the Beartooth Mountains and then tracking south of Billings.
Other storms are moving into west-central Montana and will do an end run around south-central Montana.
Most of the rivers in our area, except for the Yellowstone at Billings, are at flood stage or are forecast to crest above flood stage between now and Saturday.
Our high resolution forecast model shows the showers over the Beartooths will move into the Billings area about 8:30 p.m. and be fairly heavy.
Then another batch of rain is forecast to move in to Billings and south-central Montana about 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Temperatures will get back up into the 80s Wednesday and then cool down to the 50s for overnight lows and back to the mid-70s about 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
BILLINGS FORECAST
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms in the early evening then numerous showers and thunderstorms in the late evening some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds with small hail early in the evening. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Low 54° degrees.
Thursday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance for thunderstorms in the morning and in the afternoon. Some storms may produce gusty winds and small hail South winds 5 to 10 mph the morning becoming easterly 5 to 15 in the afternoon. High 78 degrees.
Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance for rain in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. High 70 degrees.
