Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: April 2, 2026 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, May 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 a portion 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): Portion of central MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northern, central & southern MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Large portions of the state D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of the remaining areas of The Treasure State Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link: Montana 4-week Change Map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Across areas of northern and southern MT No Change: Most of the state Drought Improved: Portions of western, central and into eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, some of the mountains of northwestern MT have received as much as 6.0” to 10.0” of precipitation with higher amounts at the highest elevations, while the rest of the state has received less than 4.0” of precipitation. Some areas have received less than a trace of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Large portions of the state have received above normal precipitation, with areas of the state receiving below normal to much below normal precipitation. Temperature Generally, the state of MT recorded warmer than normal temperatures, during the past month, with some areas reporting temperatures of more than 8 degrees above normal, for this period. Link: 1-Day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions Below Normal: Watersheds of southwestern, central and eastern MT, are experiencing streamflow in the below normal to much below normal range. Normal: Some gage points across the state are reporting streamflow within normal range. Above Normal: Some gage points across the state are reporting streamflow in the above to much above normal range. Northwestern to west central MT includes a few reports of high streamflow. USGS 7-Day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Fire Hazard Impacts For the month of April 2026, 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, April 9, 2026, the 7-Day Liquid Precipitation Forecast, includes high elevation moisture of about 1.0” to 2.5”, with greater amounts at the highest elevations. Low elevation forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.01” to 1.0”, 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, April 10 - 16, 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 8 to 14-Day Temperature Outlook shows a better chance for warmer than normal temperatures across the northwestern through south central portion of the state of MT, with the far northeastern corner of the state leaning toward cooler than normal temperatures, and the remainder of the state expecting near normal conditions. The 8 to 14-Day Precipitation Outlook shows a better chance for near normal precipitation across the vast majority of the state, with the far southeastern corner of Montana leaning toward wetter than normal conditions. Link: drought.gov/states/montana Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC Homepage The Seasonal Temperature Outlook, generally, shows a better chance for warmer than normal temperatures across The Treasure State. The Seasonal Precipitation Outlook shows better chances for below normal precipitation from northwestern through central and southern MT, with equal chances for above or below normal precipitation, for much of eastern MT. Seasonal Drought Outlook Persisting: Most of the state of Montana Developing: Especially southern Montana Please note: This map is updated once per month. 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 Mountain snowpack, generally, continues below normal for this time of year. 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 prevention efforts continue important. Other Impacts & Messaging Elevated drought conditions can impact outdoor recreation and tourism as we move into spring activities. Mitigation Actions Low snowpack does not equate to an absence of flooding. Flooding is possible at any time until the snow melts out of the mountains.