A warm-up for the next couple of days comes crashing down over the weekend.
Warmer temperatures begin to move in today, with highs in the 40s to mid 50s. Expect a mix of clouds and sunshine with stronger winds in the mountain foothills.
Winds will increase around the Livingston/Big Timber area from about 45 mile-per-hour wind gusts Thursday afternoon to 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts overnight into early Friday. By Friday, winds also increase across all of north-central Montana, and extend from Livingston to breezy conditions near Billings.
High temperatures Friday will reach well into the 60s and most of the lower elevations in our area.
By Friday night into Saturday, a cold front brings not only cooler temperatures but areas of rain and snow showers. Any snow accumulation should be modest with the exceptions of the higher elevations.
Highs on Saturday will reach the 30s to low 40s, but colder air continues to spill in. By Monday and Tuesday, expect highs only in the 20s to 30s despite a mix of clouds and sunshine.
Billings forecast:
Thursday… Partly sunny with a high near 52. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph.
Thursday night… Partly cloudy with a low of about 39. Southwest wind increases to 15 to 25 mph.
Friday… Sunny and warmer with a high around to 66. Southwest winds continue 15 to 25 mph.
