Drought conditions are getting worse across much of Montana and it’s going to take above-normal springtime snow and rain to break out of the spiral.
That’s what experts told members of the governor’s Drought and Water Supply Advisory Committee Thursday during their first meeting of the year.
Pockets of extreme drought have gripped the Lincoln area and the Blackfoot watershed.
Severe and moderate drought is reported across most of western, southern and northeast Montana. Abnormally dry conditions dominate almost all the state.
There are two noteworthy exceptions: areas of Glacier and Musselshell counties report no drought.
Experts are taking a wait-and-see stance before making any drought predictions this summer.
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Summertime at the county fair means rides, farm animals and lots of food. Whether it’s turkey legs, cotton candy or corn dogs – trash goes along with ready-to-go food. But a collaboration between vendors and local organizations at the Western Montana Fair is working to divert that waste away from landfills. -
A weed-control contractor stirred up outrage after driving a utility terrain vehicle nearly nine miles through the Blackfoot River. Powell County has been fined $500. Conservation groups are now calling on officials to pursue criminal charges. -
The Environmental Protection Agency says it’s halting a program that could have helped low-income Montanans reduce their power bills. The “Solar for All” program, which helped homeowners buy and install solar panels, was eliminated by the President's tax and spending bill. -
A biofuels manufacturer in Great Falls announced plans to build a water treatment facility. This comes after the company previously proposed injecting the wastewater underground. -
This week, we’re tackling more of a “big where” than a why. A listener wants to know, where does our recycling go in Montana? -
This summer’s weather has been a far cry from the scorching heat, bone-dry conditions and smokey air Montanans have come to expect this time of year. Meteorologists say more of this cooler, wetter weather is likely this month.
