FXUS65 KBYZ 022053 AFDBYZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Billings MT 153 PM MST Mon Feb 2 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - 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. && .DISCUSSION... Rest of Today through Sunday... An upper shortwave continues to move out of eastern this afternoon, leaving breezy conditions with winds gusting in the 30s and 40s mph. These gusts will quickly decrease into the evening for much of the area, with the exception being the foothills west of Billings. A low chance of rain/snow showers remains forecast in the far east near Baker through this afternoon, with minimal accumulations. Another shortwave will move through the region on Tuesday, bringing widespread breezy winds with gusts in the 20s and 30s mph, as well as a low to moderate chance for rain/snow showers. There is a low chance for mixed precipitation in the far east, mainly a rain/snow mix. Though warm temperatures and the breezy conditions may inhibit the chance for a mixed precip type. The best chance for accumulating precip will be in the mountains, especially for northwest aspects where 1-3 inches are forecast (greatest in the Bighorns). Additionally, winds will increase along the foothills west of Billings into the 40s mph tonight and into Tuesday morning. Ridging continue to put the northern Rockies in a stranglehold, with temperatures in the 50s to low 60s for much of the week. Thursday continues to be forecast as the warmest day, with highs in the mid to upper 60s. As mentioned in previous discussions, there is strong consensus amongst most models and ensembles for highs in the mid 60s. A few outlying members continue to depict even warmer conditions though, with temperatures into the 70s. Confidence remains low to moderate for temperatures approaching 70F on Thursday. 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. There is a small glimmer of light beginning to show at the end of the tunnel, with several ensembles holding onto a potential pattern change next week. Confidence remains low at this time, but for snow lovers I am saying there is a chance. Matos .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... Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon ----------------------------------------------------------- BIL 036/053 030/058 039/065 032/059 034/060 037/060 035/054 11/N 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 01/B 23/W LVM 035/049 031/057 035/061 034/060 033/056 035/055 032/048 11/N 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 01/B 33/W HDN 031/053 024/061 035/067 026/059 031/059 031/062 032/056 12/B 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 01/B 23/W MLS 029/047 024/054 036/062 026/053 030/053 030/057 032/051 12/W 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 11/B 4BQ 031/047 025/055 038/064 030/057 032/055 030/059 032/053 13/W 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 12/W BHK 024/042 022/049 033/056 026/049 025/050 027/053 027/047 02/J 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/B 00/B 11/B SHR 026/047 024/057 033/065 029/060 030/058 030/060 029/051 23/W 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 23/W && .BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. WY...None. && $$ weather.gov/billings