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Drought Information Statement...RESENT
National Weather Service Great Falls MT
535 PM MDT Mon Sep 27 2021

...Severe to Exceptional Drought Conditions Persist Across Montana...


The Montana Statewide Drought Information Statement is issued by
the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Great Falls, in
cooperation and coordination with the National Weather Service
Forecast Offices in Billings, Glasgow, and Missoula, MT.

Drought conditions have continued across much of the state.
Precipitation amounts have been well below normal since the
beginning of the water year, especially at low elevations. Many
locations across the state have received 20 to 50 percent of
normal precipitation over the last 120 days. Low to mid-elevation
mountain snowpack was below average for most of the state while
high elevation snowpack was close to normal. This led to below
average runoff in Montana waterways and lower than average water
supply in reservoirs and stock ponds across the state.

As of late September, 98.7 percent of Montana is characterized by
D2 (severe drought) or worse, which is the highest percent
coverage for the state since the Drought Monitor began on January
4, 2000. Most drought categories have remained static in coverage
over the last month with just over 20 percent of the state in D4,
which is the greatest coverage since the flash drought of 2017,
and second highest coverage on record.

The one improvement in conditions was made in the northwest part
of the state including Lincoln, Flathead, Glacier, and Sanders
Counties where D3 was improved to D2. Beneficial precipitation has
fallen in that area several times over the last month and led to
streamflow conditions returning to normal.

Following the widespread precipitation in August across much of
the state, September has proven to be drier than normal. Most
beneficial impacts from above normal August precipitation have
diminished. Above average snowpack for the winter and normal to
above normal precipitation in the Spring of 2022 will likely be
needed to completely resolve current drought conditions.

Long term climate outlooks for the next three months have shown
some indication that the northwestern third of the state may see
above normal precipitation, with equal chances of above, below,
and normal temperatures. This outlook is a marked improvement over
the last issuance where above normal temperatures and below
normal precipitation were favored.


NEXT ISSUANCE DATE... Updates to this product will be made on an
as needed basis, with at least one issuance per month when
drought conditions of D3 or greater exist.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS...
If you have any questions or comments about this Drought
Information Statement, please contact:


 National Weather Service
 5324 Tri-Hill Frontage Road
 Great Falls MT 59404
 Phone: 406-453-2081


$$