textproduct: Billings

KEY MESSAGES

- A significant and widespread high wind event is ongoing and will last through tonight. Gusts of 60 to 80 mph are occurring across the lower elevations. The highest gusts may cause damage to trees, power lines and some structures!

- Increased concern for brief periods of blizzard conditions in eastern MT tonight. Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Fallon County this evening into Thursday morning.

- Another period of gusty winds along the western foothills Thursday night into Friday.

- Periods of moderate to heavy snowfall over the Beartooth Absaroka Mountains Thursday to Saturday; 90 percent chance of at least a foot of snow on west aspects, 60-70 percent chance for at least 18 inches.

AVIATION

The main hazard to aviation over the next 24 hours is extreme winds. Strong to extreme winds will spread east across southeast Montana this afternoon. Widespread gusts over 50 kts (>50% for all TAF sites) are expected with gusts over 60 kts possible (10-60% for TAF sites) across the plains. Highest probability for gusts over 60 kt is in the foothills, areas north of KBIL, and in southeast MT. Winds begin to decrease from west to east after midnight tonight. Strong winds are expected to be out of the region by 15Z Thursday. In addition, a band of rain is expected to move across the region through this afternoon. Strong wind gusts to 60 kt can reach the surface with this band of rain. There will also be snow and blowing snow in southeast MT after 03z tonight, mainly near and east of KMLS-K4BQ. The greater impacts to visibility from snow/blowing snow should occur near KBHK and K97M. Torgerson/RMS

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS

Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed ----------------------------------------------------------- BIL 027/040 033/056 025/041 025/042 031/049 027/043 026/047 00/N 15/W 61/U 01/B 13/W 21/B 11/B LVM 026/043 034/051 022/037 021/044 034/047 028/046 032/049 13/J 58/W 61/N 02/W 35/W 32/W 13/W HDN 021/039 030/056 022/041 021/041 026/048 024/043 024/046 10/B 15/W 72/J 00/B 12/W 21/B 11/B MLS 012/031 023/047 018/037 020/039 025/042 021/040 022/041 30/N 12/W 41/U 00/B 01/E 10/B 00/B 4BQ 017/034 028/054 025/038 023/043 029/050 026/044 027/047 20/N 02/W 61/U 00/B 01/B 10/B 00/B BHK 003/025 015/045 014/033 016/040 023/044 020/039 021/041 51/N 12/W 31/U 00/B 01/E 10/B 10/B SHR 020/037 023/056 019/037 017/043 026/050 024/046 026/050 10/N 02/W 83/J 10/B 01/B 10/B 00/B

BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...High Wind Warning in effect until 2 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONES 29-30-34-42-56-57-63-67-68-138-139-141-169>173-228-235. High Wind Warning in effect until 5 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONES 31>33-36-37-58. Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 8 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONE 33. High Wind Warning in effect until 11 PM MST this evening FOR ZONES 40-64>66. Winter Storm Warning in effect from 11 AM Thursday to 5 AM MST Saturday FOR ZONE 67. WY...High Wind Warning in effect until 2 AM MST Thursday FOR ZONES 198-199.