BILLINGS — Mainly mountain snow for now, but the cold looks widespread by the middle of next week.
Snow remains mainly west of Billings through the mountains and foothills. From around Big Timber toward the mountains, snow could be heavy at times Thursday and Friday.
Strong winds will add to poor visibility in these areas in addition to travel hazards with snowy roads.
Through Friday, Billings seems on track for 1 to 3 inches of snow up to perhaps 4 inches. From around Columbus westward to Livingston, 4 to 8 inches is the current forecast, with 8 to 12 expected near Red Lodge and Nye.
Cooke City could get 12 to 18 inches with two feet possible in mountain peaks.
A series of disturbances will bring periods of snow over the next week. Early indications of very cold temperatures by the middle of next week are staying consistent.
Highs will stay in the 30s to around 40 through Saturday. By the middle of next week, a cold snap seems to be forming.
Billings forecast:
Thursday... Mostly cloudy with scattered light snow. High near 38.
Thursday night... Light snow overnight. Cloudy to mostly cloudy with a low of about 26.
Friday... Light morning snow and cloudy to mostly cloudy in the afternoon. Around 36 for a high.
