Last updated October 15, 2021
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High Plains Drought 2017

United States

In early May, the U.S. Drought Monitor classified neither the Dakotas nor Montana in a drought. By July, and with the arrival of a major, slow-moving heat dome, all three states were experiencing large areas of severe to extreme drought. The drought had far reaching impacts, contributing to one of Montana's worst wildfire seasons on record and causing agricultural losses of $2.5 billion.[1]

Climate change amplifies the intensity, duration and frequency of extreme heat events that can exacerbate drought conditions. Climate change also increases wildfire risk by influencing the variables that start and fuel fires. Finally, the heat dome that rapidly intensified drought conditions in July also has links to climate change.[3]

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Drought