As our weekend rain shifts out of the area, it gets warmer and drier before another weekend system arrives with more rain.

A low pressure area broke off from the main weekend weather maker, and is anchored in Southeast Montana. That will continue to produce rain showers Monday and a few afternoon or evening thunderstorms.

High temperatures Monday will hit 65-75 across much of the area. Tuesday, expect sunshine and highs mainly in the 70s.

Wednesday is looking like the warmest day of the week, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. But by sometime late Thursday, a pretty substantial cool down arrives.

Highs by Friday will be mainly in the 50s with more rain, isolated thunderstorms, and potential for snow in the mountains and the higher elevation communities.

Billings forecast:

Monday…Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and the possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. High of about.71.

Monday night…Isolated evening showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear overnight, with a low around 46.

Tuesday….Sunny with a light southwest breeze. Near 79 for a high.