Fire Weather Watch
2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... Strong northwest winds will spread across the northeast plains after sunrise today, with gusts 45 to 65 mph creating critical fire weather conditions despite somewhat marginal humidity values near 20%. Early Friday, westerly downslope winds will bring strong gusts to the Front Range mountains and foothills, with potential for these to spread into wind-favored portions of the adjacent lower elevations. Peak gusts of 70-90 mph are increasing in likelihood for the windiest locations (considerably lower for areas along and east of I-25). With a warmer and drier air mass in place, humidity values in the teens look to extend into much of the foothills, and certainly across the lower elevations. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend into the evening hours prior to the arrival of a front. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 241, 243, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From Friday morning through late Friday evening. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 80 mph in and near the foothills. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for areas roughly along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15%. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Yellowstone River River Levels

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

The Yellowstone River is a major tributary of the Missouri River, spanning 692 miles from its source in Wyoming to its mouth in North Dakota.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Yellowstone River was last observed at 5,818 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 11,540 acre-ft of water today; about 47% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 12,426 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-05-25 when daily discharge volume was observed at 448,060 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Yellowstone River At Miles City Mt reporting a streamflow rate of 8,100 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Yellowstone River At Glendive Mt with a gauge stage of 50.48 ft. This river is monitored from 9 different streamgauging stations along the Yellowstone River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 7,731 ft, the Yellowstone River At Yellowstone Lk Outlet Ynp.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-18
Discharge Volume 11,540 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 5,818.0 cfs
-30.0 cfs (-0.51%)
Percent of Normal 46.82%
Maximum 448,060.0 cfs
2011-05-25
Seasonal Avg 12,426 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Yellowstone River At Yellowstone Lk Outlet Ynp
USGS 06186500
395 cfs 2.31 ft -1
Yellowstone River Near Altonah
USGS 09292500
53 cfs 0.9 ft 4.95
Yellowstone River At Corwin Springs Mt
USGS 06191500
953 cfs 1.06 ft 2.58
Yellowstone River Near Livingston Mt
USGS 06192500
1380 cfs 0 ft 0.73
Yellowstone River At Billings Mt
USGS 06214500
3090 cfs 2.79 ft -1.9
Yellowstone River At Forsyth Mt
USGS 06295000
5430 cfs 2.08 ft 0.56
Yellowstone River At Miles City Mt
USGS 06309000
8100 cfs 3.5 ft -21.36
Yellowstone River At Glendive Mt
USGS 06327500
6000 cfs 50.48 ft -1.96
Yellowstone River Near Sidney Mt
USGS 06329500
6130 cfs 6.55 ft -8.51
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Yellowstone River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 692 miles (1,114 km) long, in the western United States. Considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri, the river and its tributaries drain a wide area stretching from the Rocky Mountains in the vicinity of Yellowstone National Park across the mountains and high plains of southern Montana and northern Wyoming.