🌵 Montana Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for Montana. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D2
Dominant
Montana is in Severe Drought
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of Montana's land area in each drought category.
13%
87%
74%
36%
9%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Severe drought conditions persist in Montana, with 35.55% of the land experiencing D2 status. Additionally, 73.64% of the state is classified under moderate drought (D1), and a combined total of 118% of the land is under D1 or worse. Only 12.8% of the state remains free from drought conditions, indicating widespread dryness across the region.
Water users in Montana are facing significant challenges due to the current drought severity. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, prompting mandatory water restrictions in several areas. Agricultural operations, particularly ranching, are under stress as pastures dry up, leading to reduced forage availability for livestock. Major river flows are also affected, which could impact irrigation supplies and further strain municipal water resources as the dry conditions continue.
Water users in Montana are facing significant challenges due to the current drought severity. Reservoir storage levels are critically low, prompting mandatory water restrictions in several areas. Agricultural operations, particularly ranching, are under stress as pastures dry up, leading to reduced forage availability for livestock. Major river flows are also affected, which could impact irrigation supplies and further strain municipal water resources as the dry conditions continue.