Chilly with Rain to Wet Snow Late Today to Friday - Flooding NOT Expected

East Rosebud Lake and Red Lodge Mountain expecting over 20 inches

By Denise Rivette

The Billings office of the National Weather Service has issued an update on the approaching cool and wet weather system that will impact our region later today to Friday. See below for details.

KEY POINTS

• Heavy snow for mountains and foothills tonight to Friday

• Lower elevations see rain change to wet snow tonight; some snow accumulation expected

• Impacts to travel, outdoor recreation and young livestock

DETAILS

• Today

  • Cold front arrives; rapid cooling by evening

  • Rain develops this afternoon and evening, then changes to wet snow tonight

• Tonight to early Friday

  • Heavy snow for mountains and foothills (1-2 feet on northeast aspects including the mountains near Red Lodge)

  • Some wet/slushy snow accumulation at lower elevations

    • Lower elevation snow accumulation will be elevation dependent, with the higher hills seeing the most snowfall

• Wintry Impacts

  • Difficult travel due to snow and poor visibility, especially close to the foothills

  • Outdoor activities may need to be altered or rescheduled

  • Cool and wet weather, with 25 to 35 mph wind gusts, will be hazardous for young livestock

• This weekend into next week

  • Dry Saturday, then more unsettled weather with mountain snow and lower elevation rain showers Sunday through Tuesday

  • Depending on how much snow accumulates, melting snow along the foothills may cause rises on some rivers and streams (flooding NOT expected)