Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: May 9, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, May 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 and eastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of western, central 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: Areas of western, northern, central and eastern MT No Change: No change in drought conditions was observed across portions of western, central and eastern MT. Drought Improved: Drought class has improved across areas of western and eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, most of the state of Montana has received less than 2.0” of precipitation, with large portions of southern MT, and some of the mountains of northwestern and central MT, receiving more than 2.5” of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Most of The Treasure State received below normal precipitation, while precipitation values for most of southern MT, and portions of northern MT, were in the above normal range. Temperature Over the past four weeks, temperatures were, generally, above normal for the state of Montana. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: 7-day Average Streamflow for some basins in northwestern and central MT are included in the above normal, range, with an area along The Yellowstone included in the 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 western, central and eastern MT, are included in the below, to much below, normal range, with portions of The Milk River Basin in the low percentile class. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: May 8, 2025 Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile resides in the lower range across western and portions of eastern MT, with most of central, MT included in the 30 to 70 percentile range, and an isolated area of south central, MT recorded as above normal. Fire Hazard Impacts During the month of May, 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, May 17, 2025, the liquid precipitation forecast, generally, shows widespread precipitation values from 0.50” to 2.00”. As much as 2.50” of precipitation are forecast to fall across the higher elevations of central and southern MT. The lowest amounts of precipitation fall across portions of northern and far southeastern MT. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Link to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Hazards Outlook As of this time, no significant hazards are forecast to occur across The Treasure State from, May 17th to 23rd. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the month of May, the Temperature Outlook shows temperatures that lean below normal across most of The Treasure State, with a better chance for near normal temperatures across much of western MT. The Precipitation Outlook shows precipitation that leans above normal for most of the state, with much of western MT falling in the near normal range. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Near 63% of the state of Montana is reported as, “severely dry,” with an additional, near 27% reported as, “moderately dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2025. Drought Impacts. [accessed May 9, 2025]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Agricultural Impacts Grasses are experiencing drought stress, across many areas. Some report an inability to turn cattle out to pasture, due to little to no grasses. Due to loss of vegetation, many reports state the necessity to feed hay / full feed, and to sell off cattle, early. Some have resorted to planting dryland crops. Fire Hazard Impacts Although we are within our wet season, fires can, and do, ignite and spread. Please, exercise fire safety practices. Other Impacts Recreation With mountain snow melting, rivers run high, fast and cold. Life jackets save lives. Never drive through flooded areas. “Turn around. Don’t Drown.” During flash flooding, “Climb to Safety.” Mitigation Actions As we continue to progress through our wet season, and thunderstorm season has begun, special attention is paid to burn scar areas. Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is key.