Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: February 18, 2025 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, March 28, 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 - Portions of western and eastern MT continue to experience extreme drought conditions. 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): A portion of western, and isolated areas of eastern, MT D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, central and eastern MT D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Montana Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Northwestern MT No Change: No change in drought conditions was observed across portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT. Drought Improved: Drought categories have improved across much of central and eastern MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, virtually, the entire state of MT has received less than 3.0” of precipitation, with a large portion of the state receiving less than 1.0” of moisture. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Large portions of The Treasure State received more than normal precipitation, while significant portions fell in the below normal range. Temperature But for a small isolated area of northeastern MT, the state experienced colder than normal temperatures during the period of, January 18, 2025 to February 16, 2025. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: A portion of the Jefferson Basin is included in an area of above normal streamflow. Normal: Some basins of western, northern and southern, MT are experiencing streamflow in the normal range. Below Normal: Areas of western, central and southern MT are included in the below, to much below, normal range, with portions of central MT considered in the low range. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC Map, valid: February 17, 2025 Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile resides in the lower range across western, portions of central, and eastern MT, with some areas ranked at 1 percentile or less. An isolated area of north-central MT is in the 70 to 90 percentile range, with most of central MT in the 30 to 70 percentile range. Fire Hazard Impacts February and March, 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, February 19 - 26, 2025, MT forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.01” to as much as 0.50”, east of The Continental Divide, with more than 1.00”, west of The Divide, and higher amounts across higher elevations. 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 February, the Temperature Outlook shows equal chances for above or below normal temperatures across portions of southern MT, with better chances for colder than normal temperatures across the remainder of the state. The Precipitation Outlook shows better chances for above normal precipitation across most of the state, while eastern MT is included in an area of equal chances for above or below normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Persisting: Drought conditions are predicted to persist across areas of eastern MT. Developing: None Improving: Improving drought conditions cover portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT. Ending: Drought conditions are predicted to be in the process of ending across portions of western, central, southern and eastern MT. No Drought: Portions of northern, 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 With the Bears Paw and Rocky Boy area showing Snow Water Equivalent at 205% of median, careful attention is due during periods of rain and melt. 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 The state has been experiencing river ice jams, with flooding in some areas. Ice Jam behavior is unpredictable and dangerous. Safety First. Stay off the ice. Never drive through flooded areas. Mitigation Actions Communication, coordination and collaboration between partners is key.