Billings is located in southern Montana in the fertile Yellowstone River valley, with mountains on three sides. The Yellowstone River flows along the eastern boundary of the city. The mountains shelter the city from the most severe winter weather, but blizzard conditions are not uncommon in the spring and fall. Moist air from the Pacific Ocean, called "Chinook winds," often brings surprisingly warm weather in the winter and cooler temperatures in the summer. Spring features the most unpredictable weather, and summers are typically dry with cool nights.
Area: 33.82 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 3,126 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 22.8° F; August, 72.5° F; annual average, 49.2° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 13.65 inches