Weather
Montana Weather Alert: Billings Frost Risk Climbs by Sept. 16, 32°F Freeze Odds Rise by Late September
Billings, Montana – Gardeners across south central and eastern Montana should start preparing sensi…
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-09-10T21:05:26.472Z
Billings, Montana – Gardeners across south central and eastern Montana should start preparing sensitive plants now as overnight temperatures trend colder and historical probabilities show frost and freezing conditions becoming increasingly likely during the coming weeks.
According to the National Weather Service in Billings, 1991 2020 climate normals give Billings a 10% probability of reaching 36 degrees by Sept. 16. That probability reaches 50% by Sept. 28 and 90% by Oct. 12. These are climatological probabilities, not an indication that a freeze warning is currently in effect.
Billings has a 10% probability of reaching 32 degrees by Sept. 26, with the probability reaching 50% by Oct. 7. A 28 degree hard freeze historically reaches a 10% probability by Oct. 1 and 50% by Oct. 16.
Cold typically arrives earlier elsewhere. Miles City reaches its 10% probability for 32 degrees by Sept. 17, while Red Lodge reaches 50% by Sept. 19. Sheridan reaches the 50% threshold by Sept. 23.
Residents should begin identifying plants that need protection, bring vulnerable containers indoors when colder nights arrive and disconnect or protect exposed irrigation equipment before freezing temperatures develop.
The National Weather Service urges residents to monitor upcoming temperature updates as fall advances. Frost and freeze alerts may eventually be issued when specific cold weather conditions become imminent.