Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: August 14, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, September 12, 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 - Extreme Drought conditions continue 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): Portions of western and central MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, central and southwestern MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western, central and northeastern 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 central and southern MT No Change: Generally, portions of the western half of the state Drought Improved: Significant areas across the northern, central and eastern MT regions Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, portions of central and eastern Montana have received more than 6.0 inches of precipitation, while other portions of the state received less than 1.0 inch of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Most of The Treasure State received in excess of 150% of normal precipitation, while some areas received below normal precipitation. Temperature Over the past four weeks, most of the state of Montana experienced below normal temperatures, with some areas reporting departure from normal temperatures of 3 degrees and more cooler than normal. Link: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: Not surprisingly, streamflow across portions of north central, northeastern and southeastern Montana are not only “above normal,” but even included in the “much above normal” or “high” streamflow range. Normal: Much of Montana’s streamflow is reported within normal range. Below Normal: Significant portions of the watersheds of western, central and southeastern MT are included in the “below normal” to “much below normal” range, with the Sun, Teton, Marias River Basin showing streamflow values in the “low” percentile class. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: August 12, 2025 Link: drought.gov/states/montana Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Percentile map shows areas of continuing dry conditions, while large portions of the state show soil moisture percentile in excess of 80%. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Fire Hazard Impacts It is noteworthy that the Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook has been downgraded across some areas, during recent weeks. The Northern Rocky Mountain Front area is even listed as, “below normal,” which is not common for this time of year. Above normal Significant Wildland Fire Potential continues across southwestern MT. Link: Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Link: drought.gov/states/montana 7-Day Precipitation Forecast Through, August 20, 2025, the liquid precipitation forecast, generally, shows modest amounts of moisture with forecast values up to 0.5”. 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, August 21st to 27th. 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 across much of western / southwestern MT, with a better chance for above normal precipitation across portions of north central and eastern MT, and near normal conditions for the remainder of the state. 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. Seasonal Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: Generally, for the seasonal period of, August through the end of October, persistent drought conditions are predicted across much of The Treasure State. Developing: Portions of the remainder of the state Improving: The seasonal outlook trend expects a zero net improvement to drought conditions. Ending: None No Drought: Portions of central, southern and eastern 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 According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Montana Climate Division 6, northeastern Montana has experienced the wettest July since 1993, with the 2025 two-month period of June through July reported as the wettest since 2011. Portions of the state (e.g.: portions of western and southern MT) continue very dry with below normal precipitation. Agricultural Impacts Frequent and above normal amounts of rainfall, across some portions of the state, create harvesting challenges. Some crops are impacted by mold growth. Fire Hazard Impacts Although recent rainfall has provided some relief during the height of fire season, with the current warm and dry outlook messaging, fire conditions can rapidly degrade. Southwestern MT continues in an area of above normal Significant Wildland Fire Potential. Other Impacts & Messaging Fire safety practices continue very important. Mitigation Actions Thunderstorm season is here. High focus is applied to flood and fire concerns. Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is always key.