Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: July 10, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, August 8, 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 expanded across portions of western and 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): A portion western and central MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, central and northeastern MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western, central and eastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of central and eastern MT Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link: Montana 4-week Change Map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Portions of western, central and northeastern MT No Change: Portions of western, central and eastern MT Drought Improved: Portions of central and eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, portions of the state of Montana have received more than 2.5 inches of precipitation, while other portions of the state received less than 1.75 inches of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Much of The Treasure State received below normal precipitation, while some areas received above normal precipitation. Temperature Over the past four weeks, but for an isolated area of southwestern MT, where temperatures were recorded as below normal, the rest of the state experienced warmer than normal temperatures. Link: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: None Normal: Some areas of the state of MT experienced streamflow in the normal range. Below Normal: Most of the state of MT is experiencing below normal to much below normal streamflow, while streamflow values for portions of the Sun Teton Marias Basin reside in the low percentile class. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: July 9, 2025 Link: drought.gov/states/montana Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Percentile map shows dry conditions for most of the state, with considerable areas in the 0 to 5 percentile range. The highest soil moisture values are, generally, spread across portions of central MT. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Fire Hazard Impacts During the month of July, most of western and central MT are included in an area of above normal significant wildland fire potential conditions. Above normal significant wildland fire potential indicates a greater than usual likelihood that significant wildland fires will occur. Link: Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Link: drought.gov/states/montana 7-Day Precipitation Forecast Through, July 17, 2025, the liquid precipitation forecast, generally, shows widespread precipitation values up to 0.5”, with most of southwestern MT remaining dry. As much as 0.75” to 1.00” of precipitation is forecast to fall across some isolated higher elevations. Note: Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms should be expected, with the majority of this precipitation forecast to fall on Monday and Tuesday. 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, July 18th to 24th. 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 near 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 The Treasure State. Developing: Portions 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 68.42% of the state of Montana is reported as, “severely dry,” with an additional, 22.22% reported as, “moderately dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2025. Drought Impacts. [accessed July 10, 2025]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Agricultural Impacts Diminished crop production Decreasing surface water Grasshopper infestations Fire Hazard Impacts Elevated fire hazard Please, exercise fire safety practices. Other Impacts & Messaging Health concerns associated with excessive heat and smoke Recreational impacts Mitigation Actions Thunderstorm season is here. Special attention is paid to burn scar areas. Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is always key.