Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: January 8, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, February 6, 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 areas of western and eastern MT. 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): Portions of western and eastern MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of the remainder of the state Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Montana Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Generally, over the past month, drought conditions have not worsened. No Change: No change in drought conditions was observed over most of The Treasure State. Drought Improved: Portions of western MT, as well as, isolated areas in north central and far southeastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, Isolated portions of northwestern MT received more than 5.0” of precipitation; however, the remainder of the state, generally, received less than 3.5” of moisture, with many areas receiving less than 1.0”. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): The majority of the state has received normal to above normal precipitation, with portions of eastern MT included in the below 50% of normal range. Temperature The vast majority of the state of Montana is recorded as warmer than normal for the period of, December 9, 2024 to January 7, 2025, with large portions of the state listed as more than 6F above normal. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: A portion of the Milk Basin is included in an area of above normal average streamflow. Below Normal: Areas of, “below normal,” stream flow continue to stretch across western, north central, central and southern MT. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: December 11, 2024 Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile resides in the lower range across most of the state, with areas of eastern Montana ranked at 1 percentile or less. Portions of northern Montana are included in the 30 to 70 percentile range, with an isolated area along the north central Montana border included in the 70 to 80 percentile range. Fire Hazard Impacts This month, we continue 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 During the week of, January 9 - 16, 2025, Montana forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.01” to 0.50”, with some isolated areas forecast to receive about 1.00” to 1.75” of liquid precipitation, during this period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. As of this time, no significant hazards are forecast to occur across The Treasure State from, January 15th to 21st. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the month of January, the Temperature Outlook shows equal chances for above or below normal temperatures across the central portion of the state, with much of western Montana leaning toward above normal temperatures, and much of eastern Montana leaning toward below average temperatures. The Precipitation Outlook shows better chances for above normal precipitation, statewide. 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 eastern MT. Developing: None Improving: Improving drought conditions cover portions of western and central MT, with an isolated area of improving conditions in southern MT. Ending: Drought conditions are predicted to be ending across portions of western, north central, central, and southern MT. No Drought: Portions of northwestern, north central, central and southern MT are included in an area of, “no drought,” during this 3-month outlook period. 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: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts It is still too early in the season to assess snowpack and its impacts to the region. With temperatures, generally, trending warmer than normal and precipitation insufficient to compensate for an extended dry period, drought conditions are slow to improve. Agricultural Impacts Ongoing impacts to crops and grasslands Fire Hazard Impacts Although this is our cold season, winter fires do occur. Fire safety continues relevant. Other Impacts River ice jams are a concern, during periods of cold temperatures. About 26% of the state of Montana is reported, “moderately dry,” with an additional, 59% reported, “severely dry.” Montana State Library | National Drought Mitigation Center. 2024. Drought Impacts. [accessed September 27, 2024]. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/76204aa1271a4a7f8a775fc2bba9ef83 Mitigation Actions Coordination and collaboration between partners is key.