Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Billings, MT

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282
FXUS65 KBYZ 170150
AFDBYZ

Area Forecast Discussion...Updated
National Weather Service Billings MT
750 PM MDT Mon Jun 16 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Chance of isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms
  continues into Tuesday. Less chance of severe storms.

- Quieter weather pattern for the second half of the week.


&&

.UPDATE...
Severe storms are winding down in the east and colluding to form a
large area of moderate rain showers and embedded thunder. One or
two last strong to severe storms in Sheridan County are moving
east and should be clear of our CWA by 830 PM. We also have some
cold pools coming out of the mountains yet for scattered showers
and embedded thunder to west of Billings. POPs have been updated.

The big story...Epic storm clobbered Shepard and Huntley vicinity
between about 500-545 pm this evening with winds up to 76 mph,
ping pong ball size hail, drifts of hail up to 8 inches deep,
extensive tree damage, extensive damage to homes and fences.
Several funnel cloud reports, but no confirmed touchdowns. BT

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Rest of Today through Tuesday Night...

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move through the region
from west to east this afternoon and evening. Look for this
activity to develop off the higher terrain early this afternoon as
a subtle mid- level shortwave trough embedded within
southwesterly flow aloft tracks over the area. With moderate
instability (MUCAPE values modeled around 750 to 1750 J/kg) and
strong deep layer shear (40 to 55 knots), some strong to severe
thunderstorms are possible across much the area (Slight, 2/5 risk
of severe weather from the Storm Prediction Center). With
dewpoints remaining in the 50s for many areas, and generally
straight line hodographs, large hail and strong winds are the main
threats today. Heavy rain is also possible under any strong
thunderstorm that develops. While the chance is low (2%), a brief
tornado or two is possible over south-central Montana and north-
central Wyoming today as well. If you have outdoor or travels
plans generally between 2 and 10 PM MDT today, make sure to stay
weather aware.

While the first round of showers and thunderstorms will exit our
east late this evening, another weak, embedded shortwave trough
tracking through the region will keep the chance of precipitation
going over southern Montana and northern Wyoming tonight into
Tuesday morning (30 to 70 percent chance, greatest over the higher
terrain).

On Tuesday, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are
possible once again (25 to 70 percent chance, greatest over the
mountains). With weaker instability (MUCAPE values around 500 to
1000 J/kg) and shear (20 to 30 knots), no severe thunderstorms are
expected at this time. However, stronger cells could still
produce small hail and gusty winds. Arends


Wednesday through Sunday...

Ensembles are in good agreement that we will be transitioning to
a drier and warmer pattern through the middle to latter part of
the week. Ridging builds over the inter-mountain west Wednesday
and Thursday with weak downslope flow pushing the bulk of low
level moisture that has been over the region for the last several
days to the east. A mainly dry forecast with limited convection
can be expected Wednesday into Friday. The ridge starts to slide
east by the second half of Friday, as a large trough and
associated upper low push inland into the Pac NW. As the trough
pushes farther inland into the Northern Rockies into the weekend,
daily shower and thunderstorm chances are possible (30-60% chance,
greatest over western areas). This pattern typically promotes
severe thunderstorm development, so this is something to watch
moving forward.

Temperatures will range from the upper 70s to 80s on Wednesday, to
the 80s on Thursday and Friday. Temperatures trend back towards
normal by Sunday. Depending on the strength of the upper trough,
it is possible that some places could have highs in the 60s Sunday
into early next week. STP
&&

.AVIATION...


Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will continue over the
forecast area this evening. MVFR possible in heavier showers with
wind gusts to 35-45 kts. Showers and thunderstorms will decrease
overall overnight, though some areas of isolated showers could
persist overnight. Expect occasional mountain obscurations. BT


&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    Tue     Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat     Sun     Mon
-----------------------------------------------------------
BIL 054/077 054/085 056/087 059/087 057/082 051/068 045/072
    53/T    00/U    00/U    22/T    21/U    44/W    21/B
LVM 048/075 048/083 050/087 052/085 050/078 041/064 038/070
    64/T    00/U    01/U    33/T    33/T    55/T    32/T
HDN 054/076 048/086 055/088 059/089 057/084 051/069 045/074
    75/T    10/U    10/U    21/U    21/U    54/W    31/B
MLS 056/077 055/085 057/089 061/086 061/087 054/069 047/071
    43/T    20/U    10/U    42/W    31/U    43/W    31/B
4BQ 055/073 053/084 057/088 060/087 063/090 054/069 047/068
    76/T    20/U    10/U    11/U    21/U    22/W    32/W
BHK 054/075 051/083 054/089 059/084 059/087 055/070 044/068
    33/T    20/U    10/U    32/W    21/U    32/W    31/B
SHR 050/071 048/081 053/088 056/087 057/086 049/068 042/070
    87/T    10/U    00/U    11/U    11/U    34/T    32/T

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
WY...None.

&&

$$
weather.gov/billings