Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: November 7, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, December 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 have ended along the western Montana border with Idaho. Conditions continue across a portion of central Montana. Conditions have developed across an additional 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): Portions of central MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western and central MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of southwestern, central and northeastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of southwestern, central and northeastern MT Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link: Montana 4-week Change Map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Portions of northern, central and northeastern MT No Change: Much of the western, central and northeastern MT Drought Improved: Across portions of western, southern and eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, most of the state received less than 3.0 inches of precipitation, with most of northern Montana receiving less than 1.0 inch, and some areas receiving 0.1 inches or less. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): North central MT has received well below normal precipitation with a large portion of the area recorded in the 25% or less range. Portions of eastern MT are the wettest part of the state, with some counties receiving 200% to 400% of normal precipitation during the past month. Temperature The Treasure State trended warmer than normal during that past month, with a portion of northeastern MT recording temperatures as high as 6 to 8 degrees above normal. Link: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow Compared to Historical Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Below Normal: Many of the MT state watersheds are experiencing streamflow in the below normal to much below normal range. Normal: Much of Montana’s streamflow is reported within normal range. Above Normal: Streamflow for portions of southern and eastern MT are in the above normal percentile class. USGS 7-Day Average Streamflow HUC Map Link: drought.gov/states/montana Agricultural Impacts The soils of central and northern MT are showing large areas where Soil Moisture Percentile is in the 0 to 10 percentile range. Southwestern MT is quite dry, as well. Soil Moisture Percentile is at 70% and above across portions of the remainder of the state. https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Fire Hazard Impacts For the month of November, 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, November 14, 2025, the 7-Day Liquid Precipitation Forecast, keeps most of the state receiving 0.0” to 0.1” of moisture, with modest higher amounts at higher elevations. 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, November 15th to 21st, 2025. 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 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 equal chances for warmer or cooler than normal temperatures for the period of, November 2025 through January 2026. The Seasonal Precipitation Outlook suggests better chances for above normal precipitation, statewide. Seasonal Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: For the seasonal period of, October 31, 2025 through the end of January 2026, persistent drought conditions are predicted across large portions of central and northeastern, MT, with persistent drought expanding into western and southwestern MT. Developing: None Improving: Much of western MT Ending: The Seasonal (3-Month) Drought Outlook includes portions of southwestern and south central MT in an area leaning toward ending drought. No Drought: Much of central 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 A portion of North Fork Blackfoot River is experiencing Drought Closure, prohibiting fishing 24-hours per day. Agricultural Impacts As of, November 7, 2025, U.S. Agricultural Commodities in Drought reports 54% of barley production affected by Severe Drought (D2) to Extreme Drought (D3) in the state of Montana. 60% of winter wheat production is, currently, affected by D2 to D3 drought conditions. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire safety practices continue important. Other Impacts & Messaging 68.25% of the state of Montana is reported as, “severely dry,” with an additional, 22.46% reported as, “moderately dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2025. Drought Impacts. [accessed November 7, 2025]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Mitigation Actions Montana State Drought Monitor authors work to create maps with the highest level accuracy based upon the a deep dive into the available data, providing partners with valuable information to assist with action planning. Communication and collaboration amongst partners continues extremely important.