BILLINGS- It is starting to turn out to be another active afternoon in south-central Montana, including Billings.
Thunderstorms are already starting to develop around Red Lodge and the southwestern corner of the state.
Temperatures are already starting to warm up into the mid-70s in south-central Montana with 80s already developing in the extreme eastern edge of the state.
This will add to the list of things required for making severe thunderstorms. Some of the other requirements for making severe thunderstorms today include an abundance of low-level moisture along with divergent winds in the upper level and wind shear.
The thunderstorm outlook for Wednesday does show an increased risk of severe thunderstorms from the Rocky Mountains front. All the way back down towards the South Dakota Badlands.
At Billings is right smack dab in the middle of it.
Thunderstorms with hail are already starting to develop. We’ve already had one severe thunderstorm warning for Carbon County, where we had reports of half-dollar size hail.
There’s also a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m Wednesday night for most of the same area that has the increased risk of severe thunderstorms.
The high-resolution forecast model shows another big band of showers and thunderstorms moving in around 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Billings. Then, after that, we start to dry up by Thursday.
Thunderstorms will start to diminish this evening, as temperatures roll back down the 57 degrees.
Tomorrow we will get back up into the upper 80s and keep those 80s right on through the rest of the week, with afternoon splash and dash thundershowers each day.
BILLINGS FORECAST
TONIGHT: A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 10 p.m.
Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance for showers and thunderstorms this evening then becoming mostly clear. Overnight. Some storms may be severe this evening. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Low 56 degrees.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny with a 20% chance for showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. High 87 degrees
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny with a 20% chance for showers and thunderstorms and still warm. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph the morning shifting to the Northeast in the afternoon. High 84 degrees.
