Springtime in Montana...

April showers bring May....snow storms?

Strong spring storm aims for Billings, Southeastern Montana

By The Gazette Staff

Southeastern Montana, including Billings, could get slammed tonight with a strong spring storm that could leave 2 inches of snow on the ground in Billings by Friday morning and 10 to 16 inches farther south and east.

Higher elevations in the Bighorn, Beartooth and Crazy mountains could get 10 to 15 inches.

Hardest hit probably will be the southeastern corner of the state where the National Weather Service has issued a patchwork of winter storm warnings and watches through evening and overnight.

A winter storm warning was issued through Friday morning for Powder River, Carter and southern Rosebud counties, including the towns of Ekalaka and Lame Deer. Six to eight inches could be on the ground by tonight, and the total could reach 10 to 15 inches by Friday morning. North to northwest winds at 25 to 40 mph could cause blowing and drifting, making travel treacherous.

A winter storm watch is in effect through evening for southern Big Horn County and the Sheridan foothills in Wyoming. Six to eight inches could be on the ground there by Friday morning. Winds could blow from the northwest at 20 to 35 mph.

Custer and Fallon counties, including Miles City and Baker, are also under a winter storm watch. Up to 6 inches of snow are expected to cover that area by Friday morning. Winds will be from the northwest at about 20 to 35 mph.

Chance of precipitation in Billings today is 30 percent increasing to 70 percent by tonight and falling off Friday morning to 40 percent. Rain is possible today, and snow is likely overnight.