Drought Information Statement for MONTANA Valid: June 13, 2024 Issued By: NWS Great Falls, NWS Missoula, NWS Glasgow, NWS Billings Contact Information: This is the last update until drought conditions change significantly in Montana. 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 Drought conditions are no longer observed in Montana. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None occurring D3 (Extreme Drought): None occurring. D2 (Severe Drought): Mostly along the divide and east of Missoula. D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of Western MT, and portions of fare Eastern MT. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of MT, expect the Billings area. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Drought conditions worsened slightly for many areas over the eastern half of the state. No Change: No change in drought conditions, over the past month, were observed over most of western and far eastern MT. Drought Improved: Minor improvements were observed south of Billings. Precipitation Precipitation (in): During the past month, most of the state received 1.0” to 3.5” of precipitation, with some isolated areas receiving more than 3.0” of moisture. A few isolated areas of the state received less than 1.0” of precipitation. Percent of Normal Precipitation (%): Generally, the northern half of MT had below average precipitation, while portions of Western and Southern MT had above normal precipitation. Temperature Much of MT had below normal temperatures over the past month, small areas of above normal temperatures. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Above Normal: Above normal stream flows are generally along Lodge Creek. Normal: The average streamflow for most of Eastern, far Southwest and far Northwest MT. Below Normal: Most areas of below normal streamflow are located across North Centeral MT and areas east of Missoula. Image Caption: USGS 7-day average streamflow HUC map valid: May 22, 2024 Agricultural Impacts The Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile resides in the low range across western MT, while the eastern half of the state, generally, ranks 70% or higher. The Crop Moisture Index includes Western and Central MT in an area identified as, “abnormally dry,” while soil moisture values for the rest of the state continue, “slightly dry/favorably moist.” Fire Hazard Impacts Grasslands: Fire impacts continue possible a few weeks after fuels dry out. Mountains: Fire season begins after the snow melts out. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast During the week of, June 13 thru June 20, a rather wet period is forecast over much of MT. Widespread rainfall of 0.50 to 2 inches is possible across much of MT. Snow is expected to fall in the mountains, especially for elevations above 6000 feet. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook As of this time, no significant hazards are forecast to occur across The Treasure State from, June 20th through June 26th. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Looking ahead through the rest of summer above normal temperatures are favored for the entire state of MT. Looking ahead through the rest of summer below normal precipitation is favored for the entire state of MT. 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 western MT, as well as, portions of central, southern and eastern MT. Developing: Portions of North Central and Eastern MT https://www.drought.gov/states/montana Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Some fairly nice improvements in the mountain snowpack has occurred in May. Agricultural Impacts Possible impacts to crops and grasslands Fire Hazard Impacts Moisture replacement from now through the end of June, along with the temperature trend during the last two weeks of June and the first week of July, will aid in assessing the summer season’s fire impacts. Other Impacts Impacts to outdoor recreation, especially river activities, are possible this summer. Mitigation Actions Low snowpack does not equate to an absence of flooding. Flooding is possible at any time until the snow melts out of the mountains. Additionally, a late spring storm could result in some areal flooding.