Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: June 5, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, July 3, 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 drought conditions have ended across the state of Montana. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link: Latest Montana U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None 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: Montana 4-week Change Map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Areas of western, central and eastern MT No Change: No change in drought conditions was observed across most of the state. Drought Improved: Drought class has improved across areas of western, central and eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, precipitation across The Treasure State is, generally, characterized by a dry northern half of the state, and a moist southern half. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Most of The Treasure State received well below normal precipitation, while precipitation values for portions of southern and eastern MT, and a couple of isolated areas of northern MT, were in the above normal range. Temperature Over the past four weeks, with the exception of a few isolated areas, temperatures were above normal for the state of Montana. Link: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: 7-Day Average Streamflow values for a few basins of northern and southern MT are included in the above normal range. Normal: Much of the state is experiencing streamflow in the normal range. Below Normal: Many river basins across the state are experiencing below normal streamflow, with portions of western and northern MT in the much below normal range, and portions of The Milk River Basin continuing in the low percentile class. Link: drought.gov/states/montana Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Percentile map includes much of the state in the dry range, with the highest soil moisture values located across portions of central and southern MT. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Fire Hazard Impacts During the month of June, Montana continues 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, June 11, 2025, the liquid precipitation forecast, generally, shows widespread precipitation of up to 1” at lower elevations. As much as 1.25” to 1.50” of precipitation is forecast to fall across the higher elevations of central and southern MT. Much of western MT is forecast to remain dry. Note: Most precipitation is forecast to occur toward the end of this forecast 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 from, June 12th to 18th. 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 most of The Treasure State. The 8 to 14-Day Precipitation Outlook shows a better chance for above normal precipitation, statewide. Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC Homepage The Seasonal Temperature Outlook shows a better chance for warmer than normal temperatures across The Treasure State. The Seasonal Precipitation Outlook shows a better chance for below normal precipitation, statewide. Seasonal Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: Drought conditions are predicted to persist across much of western, central and eastern MT. Developing: Most of the remainder of the state Improving: None Ending: None No Drought: Portions of southern MT 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 Near 60% of the state of Montana is reported as, “severely dry,” with an additional, near 28% reported as, “moderately dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2025. Drought Impacts. [accessed June 5, 2025]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Agricultural Impacts Crops are struggling, at best, in many areas: spring wheat, alfalfa, hay, dry land forage. Grasshoppers are becoming an issue. Fire Hazard Impacts The wet season, for much of the state, continues into June. Nonetheless, fires can, and do, ignite and spread. Please, exercise fire safety practices. Other Impacts & Messaging Recreation Rivers continue to 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 Thunderstorm season has begun. Special attention is paid to burn scar areas. Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is always key.