Montana ranchWhile parts of the country struggle with excess moisture, Montana enters its fifth consecutive year of abnormally dry weather. In its 2024 Montana Drought Outlook Report, the Montana Department of Natural Resources reports that low snowpack and below-average precipitation have led to abnormally dry to severe drought conditions.

Currently, 40% of the state is classified as moderate to severe drought, with another 57% being abnormally dry. Cooler temperatures and above-average precipitation in May provided short-lived relief for some areas. However, June has been much drier.

The lack of snowpack in the mountains resulted in low streamflow. While most state and federal reservoirs managed to fill without average rainfall over the next month, streamflow and surface water levels are likely to drop across the state.

Read more about the drought affecting parts of Montana here.