Is it good to stain in Billings, MT this week?
A live 7-day go/no-go calendar for deck & fence stain in Billings, built from the local forecast against the 5°F-above-dew-point rule. We lead with the signal a weather app misses: overnight condensation risk.
- Dew margin
- 16.1°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 9%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 57–71°F, RH under 71%, surface stays 16.1°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 7.9°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 24%
- Window
- —
Rain likely in the 24h cure window (24% chance, ~3.3mm) — it can wash out or mar an uncured stain.
- Dew margin
- 7°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 19%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 58–78°F, RH under 57%, surface stays 7°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 5.7°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 25%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 66–87°F, RH under 52%, surface stays 5.7°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 9.6°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 17%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 68–89°F, RH under 51%, surface stays 9.6°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Dew margin
- 6.8°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 44%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Some rain risk (44%) during the cure window — re-check the radar before you start.
- Dew margin
- 26°F
- Overnight dew
- Low
- Rain
- 11%
- Window
- 8am–5pm
Clear to stain: temps 64–88°F, RH under 55%, surface stays 26°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
- Clear to stain: temps 57–71°F, RH under 71%, surface stays 16.1°F+ above the dew point, no rain in the cure window.
Good to go. These are forecast numbers — confirm the surface temperature on-site before you start.
Why these thresholds
Stain applied to a damp or dew-wet board can't penetrate — it beads, stays tacky and flakes. Wood must be dry and stay above the dew point while it sets.
- • Surface temp must stay 5°F above the dew point through application and cure (ASTM D3276 / ISO 8502-42).
- • Air + surface in the 50–90°F band (low-temp lines to 45°F).
- • Humidity under 85%; ideally under 70%.
- • No rain for 24h after application.
- • We use the forecast ground-surface temperature as a surface-temp proxy — confirm on-site with an IR thermometer.
Free in the beta
Watch this job site 24/7
Get an email the moment overnight dew, rain, or an out-of-range stretch threatens a fresh coat — and a morning digest with the best window ahead. No app to check; we watch the forecast for you.