Montana Climate Office

Snowpack in the West typically reaches its peak in early April but that hasn’t happened this year. Drought persists, setting up conditions for wildfires and low water supply. This warm, snowless winter points to a warming climate and trouble for Montana farmers.

Montana and nearby states are on track to have one of the most comprehensive networks of drought monitors in the world.

Montana will need an extremely wet spring to avoid widespread drought once summer arrives. Scientists are skeptical that the needed moisture will arrive.

More than 300 people from across Montana met in Helena this week to talk about big changes the state is seeing in water — from when it falls, to how and…