FXUS65 KBYZ 031017 AFDBYZ Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Billings MT 317 AM MST Tue Feb 3 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A chance for a mix of rain/snow into this morning, highest probabilities 40 to 70% in the Pryor/Bighorn mountains and adjacent foothills/plains. There is a slight chance (10-20%) for a short period of freezing rain mixed in over portions of SE Montana (Miles City/Baker/Ekalaka) around sunrise. - Breezy west to northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph across the area today. - 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... Today through Monday... Winds were breezy at times overnight along the western foothills gusting into the 30s and 40s mph. Locally dense fog and stratus have moved into Fallon County early this morning from the east. Expect the fog threat to decrease into the morning hours as mixing increases. As the next shortwave drops through the area through the morning, west to northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph will spread over the area, along with mostly moderate chances (30-70%) for rain/snow showers, greatest on the W-NW facing slopes in the southern mountains. The Bighorn mountains look to be most favored, with a few inches of snowfall forecast through today. Across the east, there are low chances (less than 20%) for some mixed precipitation, including light freezing rain around sunrise this morning before temperatures warm. These areas include Miles City to Baker and Ekalaka. There is a low chance (20%) for a dusting over the higher hills over the south and east. A trailing wave dropping through the Dakotas this evening could bring a low chance (20%) for some rain/snow showers over Fallon County. Ensembles remain consistent in strong ridging building over the region through the remainder of the week, leading to well above normal temperatures and mainly dry conditions. High temperatures most days are forecast from the 50s to 60s F, coolest east. Thursday continues to be the warmest day, where most guidance shows highs in the middle 60s F over central and western areas, though there remains a clustering of models showing the potential for temperatures approaching or exceeding 70 degrees F for some areas. Confidence remains low to moderate for temperatures approaching 70F on Thursday. Looking ahead to next week, there are indications of a potential pattern change by Monday or Tuesday, though confidence remains low at this time. 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... A small to moderate chance for fog will continue for southeast MT through sunrise. Additionally, expect isolated showers this morning to bring mixed precipitation across this same area. Occasional mountain obscurations are possible through the morning, clearing late afternoon and evening. TS && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS... Tdy Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon ------------------------------------------------------- BIL 054 030/060 040/066 033/062 035/059 036/061 039/053 2/N 00/N 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 13/O LVM 049 032/057 036/062 035/060 033/057 034/055 035/047 1/N 00/N 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 24/O HDN 054 025/061 037/068 027/060 030/059 031/062 034/054 4/R 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 13/R MLS 048 025/054 036/063 028/055 030/053 030/057 033/051 3/O 10/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 02/R 4BQ 049 025/056 039/066 030/060 033/055 031/060 033/054 3/O 10/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 01/B BHK 045 023/050 032/058 027/053 028/050 027/054 030/0473/O 20/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/B 01/B SHR 049 023/058 034/066 030/061 031/057 030/060 031/052 5/R 00/B 00/U 00/U 00/U 00/U 12/R && .BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MT...None. WY...None. && $$ weather.gov/billings