BILLINGS – Thursday is our best chance of strong to severe storms through southern Montana and northern Wyoming. But at least some threat continues each afternoon through the weekend.
Temperatures will be close to seasonal averages Wednesday, hitting upper 70s to low 80s. As a storm system approaches, temperatures will lean a little cooler west of Billings and little warmer across the Eastern Plains.
The amount of moisture in the air is going up, giving us fuel for areas of heavy rain and large hail. Storms will move from west of Billings during the afternoon to the Eastern Plains during the evening.
Thursday will be warmer ahead of a cold front, with highs hitting well into the 80s to low 90s. Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, but will favor areas across northern Montana where it could be a very busy weather day.
Each day there is at least some threat of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening with high temperatures hitting mainly the upper 70s and 80s each day through early next week.
Billings forecast:
Wednesday… Increasing clouds with a high near 80°. A slight chance of rain early turning into a better chance of showers and thunderstorms by later in the afternoon and evening. Some storms could be severe with heavy rain and hail. Gusty winds are also possible.
Wednesday night… Showers and thunderstorms, some could be severe with heavy rain and hail through around sunset. Partly cloudy overnight with a low of around 56. Areas of patchy fog possible early Thursday.
Thursday… Mostly sunny and very warm with a high near 87. Only a 20% chance of showers or thunderstorms, but storms have the possibility of being strong to severe.
