Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Billings, MT
Issued by NWS Billings, MT
346
FXUS65 KBYZ 200843
AFDBYZ
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
243 AM MDT Wed Aug 20 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Hot and dry conditions continue today.
- Temperatures today will push over 100 degrees in many
locations, with record highs possible.
- This stretch of warm and dry weather will bring an increased
risk for wildfires. Take care to avoid causing a spark!
- Cold front Wednesday night will bring cooler temperatures (75-85
degrees) through the weekend, but precipitation chances remain
low.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today through Thursday night...
Today will again be hot and dry, with highs in the mid 90s to low
100s. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the eastern half of
the region through 9 PM tonight.
This morning, a low level jet is bringing wind gusts around 20-30
mph near the Dakota border. These winds are expected to decrease
in the afternoon. However, coupled with hot and dry conditions,
fire weather concerns are increased, and this will keep any
current fires in the area active through the morning hours.
Late today, a cold front moving across the region will end the
heat and bring a low chance (10-30%) of precipitation through
Thursday morning, with the highest chance north of Billings.
Ahead of the front, winds over the west will increase in the
afternoon and evening. Given the already high fire weather
concerns, a Red Flag Warning is in effect over the far west from
noon today through 10 PM, with locations south of Big Sky as the
area of most concern.
Upper level flow will turn northwesterly Thursday, allowing more
seasonal conditions to end the work week as cooler Canadian air is
pulled into the region. High temperatures on Thursday will be in
the 80s, around 10-15 degrees cooler than today. Archer
Friday through Tuesday...
Large scale troughing over the eastern US and upper ridging to the
west will keep the area under northwest flow aloft. Thermal
troughing to the west of the divide will keep easterly winds
in place, allowing for modified Canadian air to continue to move
into the area from the northeast. As a result, temperatures are
expected to remain near to below normal through the extended
period, with highs of 75 to 85 degrees most days. Low chances for
showers and thunderstorms look to occur over the southern
mountains and adjacent areas most days (30% or less) as weak
energy floats through the northwest flow. No widespread, nor
significant precipitation is expected through the long term. STP
&&
.AVIATION...
A low level jet over eastern MT will bring low level wind shear
into the morning hours, with up to 40 kts at KMLS. VFR conditions
are expected to prevail through the period. Isolated showers and
thunderstorms are possible later this afternoon and evening as a
cold front passes through the region. Slant range visibility
reductions are possible due to smoke from nearby and regional
wildfires. STP
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...
Tdy Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
-------------------------------------------------------
BIL 096 064/083 059/077 054/080 053/081 054/082 054/083
0/H 10/U 10/B 00/U 00/U 01/B 11/U
LVM 095 053/085 049/078 045/082 046/081 048/082 048/083
1/U 20/K 00/U 00/U 01/B 12/T 12/W
HDN 098 061/085 058/079 053/081 050/081 051/082 052/085
0/K 10/U 21/B 00/U 00/U 01/B 10/U
MLS 099 067/084 058/078 052/076 050/076 051/079 053/082
0/U 11/U 20/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U
4BQ 101 068/085 060/077 053/075 051/075 053/078 053/080
0/G 10/U 51/B 10/U 00/U 01/B 10/U
BHK 100 064/084 053/077 046/074 046/073 046/076 050/079
0/U 10/U 20/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U
SHR 098 060/084 053/077 049/078 048/077 050/079 050/081
0/H 11/U 43/T 21/U 01/U 12/T 11/U
&&
.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...Heat Advisory in effect until 9 PM MDT this evening FOR ZONES
29>33-36-37-57-58-138-139-169-170-173-235.
Red Flag Warning in effect from noon today to 10 PM MDT this
evening FOR ZONE 123.
WY...Heat Advisory in effect until 9 PM MDT this evening FOR ZONE
199.
&&
$$
weather.gov/billings