textproduct: Billings

KEY MESSAGES

- A brief period of mixed precipitation, including freezing rain (up to 0.05 inches of ice), is forecast to impact areas around and east of Rosebud County tonight into early Saturday.

- Strong wind gusts along western foothills late Friday through Saturday, gusts up to 65 mph expected.

- Mostly dry and very warm with periods of gusty winds along the western foothills through the next 7 days.

- Increased grass fire concerns across the area next week.

UPDATE

Winds are increasing around Livingston to Nye this evening with gusts in the 50s (mph) already observed. With this, the Wind Advisory in effect for the Livingston to Nye area until 11AM Saturday remains in good shape. While winds are a bit weaker around Big Timber to Harlowton right now, a period of strong winds Saturday morning remains likely around these areas as mid-level winds increase around 55 to 65 mph. Therefore, the High Wind Warning in effect for northern Sweet Grass and southern Wheatland Counties from 11PM MST tonight until 2PM MST Saturday remains in good shape as well. Those with travel plans over the foothills west of Billings tonight into Saturday morning should prepare for potentially strong crosswinds, and consider delaying travel or taking an alternate route if necessary.

While winds will be much less of an issue over eastern Montana tonight into Saturday morning, we are still looking at a period of mixed precipitation impacting areas around and east of Rosebud County tonight into Saturday morning. With this, the signal for light freezing rain remains elevated, with there being anywhere from a 30 to 75 percent chance of seeing freezing rain. With the coldest temperatures existing near the Montana-Dakotas border, this is where the highest probabilities. Currently, the most likely timing is midnight tonight until 8AM Saturday. While isolated light freezing rain may continue after this, the sun coming up and winds mixing down will quickly allow temperatures to warm above freezing Saturday morning. The precipitation will also be on its way out by this time. As far as potential ice accumulations go, anywhere from a glaze to a couple hundredths of an inch remain in the forecast. Therefore, the Winter Weather Advisory in effect for northern Rosebud, Custer, Powder River, Fallon, and Carter Counties remains in good shape. If you have travel plans through these counties tonight into Saturday morning, be prepared for slick road conditions. For the latest road condition report, visit 511mt.net. Arends

AVIATION

An area of mixed precipitation (rain, freezing rain, and snow) is expected to impact eastern Montana tonight into Saturday morning. This includes airfields around and east of K1S3, KMLS, KBHK, K97M, and K00F. With this, impacts from freezing rain could start as early as 04z, but the most likely timing is between 07z to 15z Saturday. As the sun comes up and winds mix down, temperatures will warm above freezing at the surface and the precipitation will exit the region.

As far as winds go, strong winds will impact the foothills west of Billings tonight into Saturday morning. These strong winds are expected to impact KLVM first before spreading east around K6S0 and K3HT Saturday morning. Around and east of KBIL, strong winds a few thousand feet off the surface will result in low-level wind shear tonight into Saturday morning as well before winds mix down mid- day. Arends

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS

Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri ----------------------------------------------------------- BIL 037/058 033/057 035/056 033/054 032/058 038/062 030/056 11/N 00/B 00/N 01/B 00/B 00/U 00/U LVM 036/052 033/055 032/049 031/049 031/055 034/058 031/056 10/N 00/B 00/N 01/B 00/B 00/U 00/U HDN 034/058 027/056 033/057 030/054 029/059 033/063 027/054 31/N 00/B 00/U 11/B 10/B 00/U 00/U MLS 027/051 025/047 029/052 028/047 025/052 034/055 025/047 42/R 00/B 01/U 01/B 00/B 00/U 00/U 4BQ 027/051 027/053 032/052 029/048 027/053 035/058 027/051 43/R 00/B 00/B 11/B 10/B 00/U 00/U BHK 015/044 022/041 024/046 023/041 022/045 029/049 022/041 75/R 00/B 01/B 11/B 00/B 00/U 00/B SHR 029/052 027/057 029/052 026/049 027/055 031/061 026/054 20/N 00/B 00/B 12/W 10/B 00/U 00/U

BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MT...Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 11 AM MST Saturday FOR ZONES 31>33-36-37. Wind Advisory in effect until 11 AM MST Saturday FOR ZONES 65-66. High Wind Warning in effect until 2 PM MST Saturday FOR ZONES 141-172-228. WY...None.