Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: March 31, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, April 30, 2025, or sooner, if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/TFX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. D3 - A portion of western MT continues to experience extreme drought conditions. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Montana Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): A portion of western, MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, central and eastern, MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western, central, southwestern and eastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Montana Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Isolated areas of northwestern and northeastern, MT No Change: No change in drought conditions was observed across much of the area. Drought Improved: Drought class has improved across portions of western, southern and an isolated area of eastern, MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, virtually, the entire state of MT has received less than 3.0” of precipitation, with a large portion of the state receiving less than 0.5” of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Most of The Treasure State received below normal precipitation, while precipitation values for some areas were in the above normal range. Temperature Over the past month, temperatures were recorded to be above normal for the entire state of Montana. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: 7-day Average Streamflow for some basins in western, north central, central and southern MT are included in the above normal, to much above normal, range. Normal: Most of the state is experiencing streamflow in the normal range. Below Normal: Streamflow for some of the basins of north central, central, southwestern and eastern MT are included in the below, to much below, normal range. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: March 29, 2025 Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile resides in the lower range across most of the Treasure State. Fire Hazard Impacts During the month of April, Montana continues in an area of normal significant wildland fire potential conditions. Significant wildland fires should be expected at typical times and intervals. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Through, April 5, 2025, MT forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.01” to as much as 1.25”. The greatest amounts of precipitation fall across western, central and southern Montana,. The lowest amounts of precipitation fall across much of northern and eastern, Montana. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. As of this time, no significant hazards are forecast to occur across The Treasure State from, April 5th to 11th. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the month of April, the Temperature Outlook shows equal chances for above or below normal temperatures, statewide. The Precipitation Outlook shows equal chances for above or below normal precipitation across most of the state of Montana, with the northwestern portion of the state leaning toward above normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: Drought conditions are predicted to persist across areas of western, central, southwestern and eastern MT. Developing: None Improving: A small, isolated area of far western, MT. Ending: None No Drought: A large portion of the state is included in an area of, “no drought,” during this 3-month outlook period. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Seasonal (3-Month) Drought Outlook Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts More than 54% of the state of Montana is reported, “severely dry,” with an additional, greater than 12% reported as, “moderately dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2025. Drought Impacts. [accessed March 30, 2025]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Agricultural Impacts Ongoing impacts to crops and grasslands Fire Hazard Impacts Although we are entering our wet season, fires can still occur. Fire safety continues relevant. Other Impacts Recreation: As we enter our west season, and mountain snow melts, some rivers begin to run fast and cold. Never drive through flooded areas. “Turn around. Don’t Drown.” During flash flooding, “Climb to Safety.” Mitigation Actions Heightened focus over burn scar areas. Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is key.