Laurel, Montana 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

540
FXUS65 KBYZ 221155
AFDBYZ

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated
National Weather Service Billings MT
455 AM MST Mon Dec 22 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered bands of light rain/snow over the lower elevations
  today. With this, patchy freezing rain/drizzle during the
  morning hours.

- Moderate to heavy snowfall in the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains
  continues. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet mainly over
  the west and south facing slopes.

- Above normal temperatures generally expected through the week.

- Cold front may bring shot of rain/snow to area Christmas Day,
  but no big storms expected.

&&

.UPDATE...

Winter Weather Advisories across our western CWA have been
extended to 900 AM. Areas of mixed precipitation have spread out
from the mountains as the atmosphere responds to strong jet
dynamics aloft moving over the area and creating a low
convergent/upper divergent couplet. This area will trend east
over the next few hours producing a mix of rain/snow and patchy
freezing rain. Areas near the advisories may see affects as well
including the Billings area. Patchy ice is already being reported
across the area from overnight rain and temps around freezing.

We are urging motorists to use caution for the morning commute,
and allow extra time to reach destinations. Be careful on those
sidewalks and parking lots as well. BT

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Today through Sunday...

Rain and melting snow overnight have left some roads wet and with
temps near freezing we could see patchy black ice for the morning
commute. Motorists are urged to use caution, especially on
bridges.

The Winter Weather Advisories in effect over the western
foothills and nearby areas for the freezing rain and mixed precip
potential remain in good shape. These are valid through 500 AM.

Flow across the region remains W/SW with Pacific moisture still
riding it across our CWA. Snow will continue in the mountains and
our Winter Storm Warnings for the Beartooths and Crazies continue
through 500 PM today. In the meantime, we also have some
streamwise vorticity streaking across our northern zones which may
put down some bands of light mixed precipitation today from Park
County to Custer and Fallon Ctys. Some of this could be light
freezing rain or drizzle, particularly if it occurs over the
river valleys. Current probabilities for freezing precip range
from about 15-30% and are highest over northern Rosebud County
where models target a light glaze possible. However, we should see
warmer temps today in the 40s alleviating the threat of icy roads
by late morning/afternoon.

As for the rest of the week ahead, cluster analysis suggest a
ridge axis will generally remain anchored over the central CONUS
with W/SW flow dominant over our area. This will mean occasional
periods of Pacific moisture being pushed into our area causing
orographic snow over the high country (Absaroka/Beartooths). No
significant wind events are expected, but gap flow winds are
possible Tuesday night into Wednesday, and Friday may see strong
wind over the western foothills and western CWA. Temps will remain
above normal with 40s to mid 50s common. However, a cold front
may push through late Wed night into Thursday, and ensembles
suggest a series of weak clipper type systems may track across NE
Montana Friday and Saturday pulling down some cooler air by the
weekend. Best chance of any notable precipitation is Christmas Day
with the aforementioned frontal system spreading a shot of scattered
rain/snow over the area. But any accumulating snowfall looks to
be limited to the mountains (2-4 inches) at this time. BT


.AVIATION...

12z Discussion...

Scattered LIFR CIGs/VIS will linger through sunrise around
KLVM/K6SO. There is a slight chance (20%) that KBIL will see IFR
conditions before sunrise Monday.

Scattered precipitation will continue for KLVM/K6S0/K3HT before it
slowly moves eastwards during the morning. KBIL should expect to
see some mixed precipitation this morning through 22z. This
precipitation may fall as RA, SN, or FZRA and thus will likely
impact the morning peak. As the precip moves east, KMLS/KBHK
should expect to see a wintry mix with some FZRA mixed in after
14z this morning. All sites should be dry after 02z.

Mountain obscuration will continue for the entirety of the
period. WMR
&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    Tdy Tue     Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat     Sun
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 051 031/048 033/055 034/045 030/051 026/042 027/047
    4/O 20/E    00/B    24/W    12/W    21/U    00/B
LVM 047 033/052 038/055 036/048 034/046 025/042 027/045
    7/R 31/E    01/N    65/W    24/W    21/B    00/B
HDN 050 028/047 029/055 030/045 026/050 023/040 022/045
    3/R 20/E    00/B    24/W    12/W    21/B    00/U
MLS 046 027/042 027/045 027/037 023/043 020/033 019/042
    4/O 00/E    00/B    12/W    11/B    11/B    00/U
4BQ 050 028/048 032/055 035/047 028/051 025/038 022/043
    0/B 00/B    00/B    02/W    11/B    21/B    00/U
BHK 046 023/043 025/050 026/041 020/044 016/031 014/037
    3/E 00/E    00/B    02/W    21/U    21/B    00/U
SHR 050 025/051 032/058 033/050 028/052 022/040 020/046
    1/B 10/B    00/B    14/W    11/B    22/J    00/U

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 9 AM MST this morning
      FOR ZONES 29-34-40-42-63-65-66-141-172-228.
     Winter Storm Warning in effect until 5 PM MST this afternoon
      FOR ZONES 67-68.
WY...None.

&&

$$
weather.gov/billings