textproduct: Billings

KEY MESSAGES

- Weather system brings precipitation (rain/snow) and breezy winds to the area through early Wednesday.

- Light snow accumulations possible over the lower elevations, with a few inches forecast over the higher hills and down along the foothills of southern Montana and northern Wyoming. Several inches of snow are forecast in the mountains.

- Winds increase along the western foothills Wednesday night into Thursday.

- Unsettled conditions continue Thursday into the weekend.

UPDATE

Satellite and radar analysis indicates a band of snow stretching from the Beartooth foothills to the Northern Bighorns. This is confirmed by webcams across the region. Another round of precipitation dropping south from northeastern MT will bring snow to Rosebud County and locations to the east impacting Miles City and Baker in 1-2 hours. Steep low level lapse rates associated with a cold frontal passage will produce steep lapse rates of 7-8 C/km creating the potential for brief heavy snow. The re-freezing of roadways overnight remains a concern with ice and snow covered roadways being reported across parts of the region. Torgerson

AVIATION

03Z Update...

A band of snow continues from the Beartooth foothills to the northern Bighorns. MVFR ceilings are currently being reported across TAF sites. A band of precipitation from northeastern Montana is moving south and is expected to impact Miles City and Baker in 1-2 hours. This band of precipitation may bring brief periods of heavy snow to northern Rosebud and locations to the east. Torgerson

18z Discussion...

Snow showers continue across the forecast region and are predicted to continue through 06z for most locations. As we head into the overnight hours (after 00z) expect ceilings to lower into MVFR/IFR range and continue through the remainder of the period. KBIL/KSHR are forecast to see BKN015 CIGs. Gusty winds out of the NW will continue for most of the period as well. Gusts at all sites could reach 20kts with KLVM/K6S0 possibly reaching 30kts before 00z. Mountains will be obscured for the entire period. WMR

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS

Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ----------------------------------------------------------- BIL 017/030 019/036 026/036 025/037 023/039 029/042 031/045 41/B 01/E 32/S 65/O 31/B 11/B 12/R LVM 014/035 021/038 025/039 029/042 025/043 028/045 031/049 50/B 03/S 44/S 76/O 31/B 21/N 13/O HDN 011/027 012/038 025/037 022/036 017/039 025/042 026/045 72/S 02/O 53/O 76/O 41/B 21/B 12/R MLS 009/019 010/035 024/033 017/027 013/033 021/039 025/043 51/B 00/E 42/S 62/S 30/B 10/B 11/E 4BQ 014/022 014/036 026/034 022/032 019/037 026/041 027/045 72/B 01/B 32/S 53/S 20/B 11/B 11/E BHK 000/017 004/033 020/031 013/027 009/032 017/038 021/041 40/B 00/B 31/E 62/S 30/B 11/B 11/E SHR 015/029 012/039 020/038 020/038 018/042 023/044 023/048 82/B 01/E 52/S 65/O 41/B 11/B 01/E

BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 11 PM MST this evening FOR ZONES 30>32. Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 5 AM MST Wednesday FOR ZONES 36-37-56>58-66-138-169-171. WY...Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 5 AM MST Wednesday FOR ZONES 198-199.