Montana experienced a very dry week, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. Precipitation totals were 0.1 inches or less for much of the State. Precipitation totals for the year range from average to 3 inches below average for most of the State. Isolated areas are drier, with precipitation totals 6 inches below average for the year. Precipitation totals for other portions of the State, such as along the eastern border and in the northwestern corner, are average to 3 inches above average for the year. The eastern portion of the State experienced a cool week, with temperatures 2 to 4 degrees below normal, while the western portion of the State was warmer, with temperatures 2 to 4 degrees above normal. Counties in the central portion of the State had mild daily temperatures, ranging from normal to 2 degrees warmer than normal. According to the United States Drought Monitor for July 28, 2022, zero percent of the State is now experiencing exceptional drought conditions, compared to 0.6 percent last week. The amount of land rated as abnormally dry remained unchanged at 17.8 percent. Moderate drought conditions also remained unchanged at 5.8 percent of the State. Severe drought conditions increased from 9.3 percent last week to 11.9 percent of the State this week. Extreme drought was present across 3.5 percent of the State, compared to 5.5 percent last week. Overall, 39.0 percent of the State continues to experience drought conditions, unchanged from last week.
