Lt. Gov.
Mike Cooney, DNRC director John Tubbs and other leaders were on hand to talk about this year’s conditions and about how they can improve their response to future droughts.
Syner said the National Weather Service expects Montana’s drought to improve through the winter.
They are predicting higher than average precipitation in most of the state due to the La Niña weather pattern.
Still, a number of counties in northeastern Montana remain extremely dry.
State leaders are still getting reports from people affected by the drought, especially in agriculture.
That report and others have come in through the committee’s online Drought Impacts Reporter.
“When we start seeing many reports in a given area, especially when they’re specific, then that gives us a better idea of, ‘Wow, there’s something going on there that we need to pay attention to.’” Downey said the data from the Drought Impact Reporter helps leaders better understand the conditions on the ground.
They will also take that information and share it with the agencies that put together federal drought monitors.
The advisory committee will hold its next meeting in March.