Drought Concerns Persist in Parts of Montana
A wet and cooler spring has eased drought concerns over parts of western Montana, but severe drought conditions remain along the Rocky Mountain Front after two straight winters of lower snowfall and warmer temperatures.
The recent spate of warm temperatures triggered an early snow melt that could mean lower flows in some rivers and streams through the summer, if May and June rains fall below normal.
The governor's Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee, which convened on Thursday at the Capitol, continues to monitor the situation. It is currently making a county-by-county assessment of drought risks.
Weather and water supply experts say summer drought conditions will depend on how much rain the region gets over the next two months, which are usually two of the year's wettest.