081
FXUS65 KBYZ 021737
AFDBYZ

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated
National Weather Service Billings MT
1037 AM MST Mon Feb 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Breezy conditions are forecast across the western foothills
  today, with gusts 40-55 mph. Gusts 30-45 mph will be common
  across the plains.

- 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 this week.

&&

.UPDATE...

Windy conditions continue this morning with gusts in the 30s and
40s mph across the forecast area. The threat for stronger gusts
(up to 55 mph) in the western foothills has ended as well.
A weak shower or two is possible in the east into the early
afternoon. The forecast remains in good shape. Matos

&&
Today through Sunday...

.DISCUSSION...

Satellite imagery early this morning showed the next shortwave
to impact the region tracking through northern Montana. Westerly winds
were increasing along the western foothills, where winds were
gusting in the 30s and 40s mph. As the wave continues to approach,
winds aloft will increase (700mb winds of 40-55kts), causing
winds over the western foothills to gust into the 40s and 50s mph.
The probability of gusts of 60 mph or greater is roughly 30-50%
from Livingston to Nye and up through Big Timber and Harlowton
along the US-191 corridor. Strongest wind gusts over the western
foothills will likely be into the morning hours. As the wave
drops through eastern MT and into the Dakotas, gusty winds will
spread across the plains this morning into the afternoon, bringing
wind gusts into the 30s and 40s mph. There remains a low chance
(15-35%) for rain/snow showers over the east later this morning
into the afternoon, and any accumulations will be light.

Winds will decrease across the area into the evening for most
locations, while winds will remain somewhat breezy over the
western foothills. The IDA-LWT pressure gradient will remain
around 10 mb, allowing for wind gusts into the 40s mph for
Livingston to Nye. Another shortwave is progged to drop into the
area from the northwest late tonight into Tuesday morning bringing
west to northwest winds in the 20s and 30s mph, along with low to
moderate chances for rain/snow, greatest on the W-NW facing slopes
in the southern mountains. The Bighorn mountains look to be most
favored, with a couple inches of snowfall forecast. Across the
east, there are low chances (less than 20%) for some mixed
precipitation Tuesday morning before temperatures warm. While this
does not look to be widespread, it is something worth monitoring.

Strong ridging looks to settle in over the region through the
remainder of the week ahead continuing well above normal
temperatures and mainly dry conditions. High temperatures most
days are forecast from the 40s to 60s, coolest east. Temperatures
look to be warmest on Thursday, where most guidance shows highs in
the middle 60s over central and western areas, though there is a
clustering of models showing the potential for temperatures
approaching or exceeding 70 degrees for some areas. Due to the
persistent dry, occasionally breezy, and very warm conditions,
there is an elevated risk for grass fires this week. Be careful to
not cause a spark. STP


.AVIATION...

Widespread west to northwest gusts of 25-35 kts will
continue through early afternoon and end by this evening. Over
the western foothills (KLVM, K6S0, and K3HT), gusts will increase
again overnight into Tuesday to 30-40 kts. Isolated showers east
of KBIL will end early this afternoon. A round of isolated to
scattered rain/snow showers will move through beginning Tuesday
morning. Archer

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    Tdy Tue     Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat     Sun
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 058 036/054 029/059 038/064 034/061 036/060 036/062
    0/N 22/R    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/B
LVM 051 035/049 031/059 036/060 034/060 034/055 036/055
    0/N 11/N    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    01/B
HDN 058 031/055 026/061 035/066 029/061 032/060 031/063
    0/N 22/R    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/B
MLS 052 028/048 023/054 036/060 028/054 031/052 030/057
    1/N 22/O    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/B
4BQ 052 031/048 026/056 038/062 030/059 032/056 031/058
    1/N 22/O    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/U
BHK 043 024/043 022/049 032/054 026/050 027/047 026/052
    3/W 12/S    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/B
SHR 052 026/047 023/058 033/063 029/061 031/057 029/060
    0/N 34/O    00/B    00/U    00/U    00/B    00/U

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
WY...None.

&&

$$
weather.gov/billings