Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: December 12, 2024 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This product will be updated, January 3, 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. D4 - Exceptional Drought conditions have ended. 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: Across isolated areas of north central, south central and eastern MT No Change: No change in drought conditions, over the past month, were observed over most of, The Treasure State. Drought Improved: Much of western and northeastern MT, as well as, an isolated area of north central MT Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, Isolated portions of western MT received more than 4.0” of precipitation; however, the remainder of the state, generally, received less than 3.0” of moisture, with many areas receiving less than 0.5”. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): The majority of the state has received below normal precipitation, with much of eastern MT, and isolated areas of northwestern, north central and southwest/south central MT included in the above normal range. Temperature Generally, from northwestern MT, through portions of central and southwestern MT, and continuing southeastward across southern MT, temperatures were 2F or more above normal, with an isolated portion of far northeastern MT, recorded as 2F or more above normal, as well. Most of north central, and northeastern MT, as well as, portions of central and southeastern MT are recorded as cooler than normal. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: There is an area of above normal average streamflow within a portion of the Missouri Main Stem Basin. Below Normal: Areas of, “below normal,” stream flow continue across portions of western, north central, central and southern MT, with isolated areas of, “much below normal,” streamflow impacting the Kootenai and Flathead Basins. 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 portions of northern MT included in the 30 to 70 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, December 13 - 20, 2024, Montana forecast precipitation values, generally, range from 0.01” to 0.25”, with some isolated areas forecast to receive up to 0.50”. Some portions of The Great Divide may receive about 1.0” 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, December 20th to 26th. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the month of December, the Temperature Outlook shows equal chances for above or below normal temperatures, statewide. The Precipitation Outlook shows better chances for above normal precipitation across the western half of the state, with equal chances for above or below normal precipitation across the eastern half. 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/southwestern and central MT, with isolated improving conditions for portions of 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. Agricultural Impacts Ongoing impacts to crops and grasslands Fire Hazard Impacts Although this is our cold season, winter fires do occur. Following fire safety practices continues to be relevant. Other Impacts With extended periods when temperatures have trended warmer than normal and precipitation has not been sufficient to compensate for a dry October and November, drought conditions are slow to improve. Mitigation Actions As temperatures get colder, river ice jams become a concern. The National Weather Service continues to make Impact-based Decision Support Services a top priority.