Montana is facing its fifth consecutive year of serious drought. With temperatures persisting in the high 90 degrees, our state is quickly becoming a tinderbox.
Most western states are facing higher and dryer conditions due to the El Nino and La Nina Ocean current cycles. The sun has also been a hotter cycle.
Forty percent of Montana is having moderate to severe drought conditions. Half of the state is abnormally dry. Throw in the severe thunderstorms and Big Sky County can get into Big Trouble.
It is normal for Montana to experience hot, cold, wet, and dry cycles. Native peoples would simply migrate to where conditions were more comfortable. Today, citizens are stuck where they live. There are the snowbirds that leave Montana in the winter. Many residents are part time seasonal settlers.
Despite our above average precipitation through early March, April, and May, our June precipitation was less than normal. Heck, we had snow in the middle of June. July has just been HOT! This bodes poorly for wildfire conditions.
Stream and river flows have been flowing but are too warm. Many watersheds have closed to fishing until the water cools down again. Every county in Montana has been affected.
Farmers are watching crops dry up and insects increase. Landscapers are watering to keep their lawns green and gardens healthy.
Hopefully, we will get improving weather conditions that are cooler and wetter sooner!
Montana Grant
