Click for 7 Day Forecast Near record high temperatures combine with gusty winds and low humidity to bring in an increase in wildfire risk for Wednesday. By Thursday, things become very chilly.

High temperatures will be mainly in the 70s this afternoon. Billings would have to reach 78 to tie the record set in 1977.

Relative humidity numbers will be into the single digits and teens by the afternoon and evening. With gusty winds of up to 50 mph, critical wildfire conditions have triggered Red Flag Warnings all across Eastern Montana and portions of northern Wyoming.

Gusty winds could also affect travel for high profile vehicles, and localized power outages are possible.

As a strong cold front moves through during the evening and overnight hours, winds will continue to be gusty. A chance of brief rain switching to snow is possible overnight with some accumulations in higher elevation communities, like Red Lodge, and in the mountains.

Thursday will be much colder with the clearing sky into the afternoon. Winds will still be breezy, with highs only in the mid to lower 40s.

Billings forecast:

Wednesday… Sunny, with a high near 76. Westerly winds 15 to 30 miles an hour will increase 20 to 40 mph during the afternoon and evening. Winds could gust his high as 50 mph.

Wednesday night… Scattered rain showers during the evening, with possible snow mixed early Thursday. Otherwise, cloudy to mostly cloudy with a low of around 35. Winds could gust his high as 50 mph.

Thursday… Scattered rain and snow showers in the morning, but turning partly cloudy in the afternoon. A high temperature of about 43.