Record cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill values start our Tuesday. We have no place to go but up.

The early Tuesday cold has closed area schools and made spending time in the open outdoors dangerous. With sunshine for the afternoon, temperatures will recover only to the single digits above and below zero.

Scattered snow develops in the mountains late Tuesday through Wednesday morning, and maybe a few valleys.

This increase chance of snow means more clouds to insulate the area. Along with a bit more mountain wind, temperatures will not be as cold Wednesday morning, but will still drop below zero.

A generally dry forecast for the lower elevations remains through the end of the week. Expect subzero temperatures in the morning through at least Friday, with afternoon highs edging toward the 20s by the weekend.

An average low this time of the year is in the teens/low 20s. An average high is in the upper 30s/low 40s.

Billings forecast:

Tuesday…Mainly sunny and cold. A high near 6. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tuesday night…Mostly clear and cold. Low about -9 and wind chill values as low as -30.

Wednesday…Mostly sunny and cold. Around 14 for the high, but wind chills as low as -25.