Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: January 5, 2026 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, February 2026, 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 - Extreme Drought Conditions continue across portions of central Montana. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link: Latest Montana U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of central MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of central MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of central and southwestern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of western, central and northeastern MT Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link: Montana 4-week Change Map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: A portion of southwestern MT No Change: Portions of southwestern and central MT Drought Improved: Across much of western, north central and northeastern MT, as well as a portion of southern MT. Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, portions of northwestern MT received in excess of 10.0 inches of precipitation, while most of the state of MT received less than 4.0 inches of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Most of The Treasure State received 150% or more of normal precipitation, while some isolated areas received less than 75% of normal precipitation. Temperature Most of the state recorded warmer than normal temperatures, with a large portion of southwestern MT reporting temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees above normal, during the past month. A large portion of northeastern MT reported near normal to below normal temperatures. Link: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Below Normal: Watersheds of central and southwestern MT, along with an isolated portion of southeastern MT, are experiencing streamflow in the below normal to much below normal range. Normal: Streamflows across areas of western and southern Montana are reported within normal range. Above Normal: Not surprisingly, the streamflows of northwestern MT are reported as above normal to much above normal. Additionally, isolated areas of northern and southern MT are included in the above normal to much above normal percentile class ranges. USGS 7-Day Average Streamflow HUC Map Link: drought.gov/states/montana Agricultural Impacts Areas of the state continue dry, with the driest soil conditions measured across portions of central and southwestern MT, where the Soil Moisture Percentile for some locations is measuring in the 2 to 5 percentile range. Soil Moisture Percentile is at 70% and above across most of the remainder of the state. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Fire Hazard Impacts For the month of January, the state of MT is included in an area of normal significant wildland fire potential conditions. Significant wildland fires should be expected at typical times and intervals. Link: Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Link: drought.gov/states/montana 7-Day Precipitation Forecast Through, January 11, 2026, the 7-Day Liquid Precipitation Forecast, includes high elevation moisture of about 0.75” to 2.0”, with greater amounts at the highest elevations. Low elevation forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.0” to 0.5”, for this 7-day period.. 8 to 14-Day Hydrologic Hazards Outlook Link: Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14-day Hazards Outlook As of this time, no significant flooding or rapid onset drought hazards are forecast to occur across The Treasure State during the period of, January 12-18, 2026. https://sites.google.com/noaa.gov/nws-crh-services/programs/climate/long-term-outlooks-and-forecasts?authuser=0 https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.php <<< https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/extremesTool.php https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php 8 to 14-Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC Homepage The 8 to 14-Day Temperature Outlook shows a better chance for warmer than normal temperatures across the state of MT. The 8 to 14-Day Precipitation Outlook shows a better chance for below normal precipitation for, approximately, the western third of the state, while the remainder of the state shows a better chance for near-normal conditions. Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC Homepage The Seasonal Temperature Outlook shows better chances for below normal temperatures for most of the state. The outlook for a portion of southwestern MT is for equal chances for above or below normal temperatures.. The Seasonal Precipitation Outlook is for better chances for above normal precipitation, statewide, for the period of, January through March 2026. Seasonal Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: None Developing: None Improving: An area of central MT Ending: Portions of central and southwestern MT No Drought: Most of the state 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: Submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and View the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts As of this time, it is too early in the season to assess snowpack and its impacts to the region. Agricultural Impacts With portions of the state continuing in Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought Intensity Levels, impacts to crops and grasslands are possible. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire safety practices are always important. Other Impacts & Messaging Montana has entered Ice Jam season. Ice Jam behavior is unpredictable and dangerous. Safety First. Stay off ice. Never drive through flooded areas. Mitigation Actions Montana State Drought Monitor authors work to create maps with the highest level accuracy based upon the a deep dive into the available data, providing partners with valuable information to assist with action planning. Communication and collaboration amongst partners continues extremely important.