Drought

Updated data from the U.S Drought Monitor reveals the Southwest Missouri region is experiencing moderate and abnormally dry conditions. Experts are concerned with how these impacts both producers and grazing patterns.

Several areas within the Midwest region received 2 inches or more of rain this week, with Missouri experiencing the heaviest thunderstorms – locally over 6 inches. But other parts were dry, with little to no rain falling.

Nearly 100% of Missouri is experiencing one of the five levels of drought. Two-thirds of the state's population or 4.2 million residents live in drought prone areas.

Over 91% of Missouri is in one of the five drought classifications, while over 86% of Kansas is experiencing drought.

Summer is known as a hot and dry time but every corner of Missouri is in one of the five levels of drought, 94.08% of the state. While Kansas continues to experience two pockets of exceptional drought, the worst possible classification.

Seasonal droughts are common in Missouri. Just three months away over 91% of the state was free of any drought classification. When summer approaches, severe conditions return usually first to central parts of the state, and into southwest Missouri. A different story in Kansas where the state has experienced month after month of extreme and exceptional drought thanks to a very mild winter.

A wet Winter and Spring in Kansas is badly needed to improve statewide drought conditions

Improvement in drought conditions in Missouri, according to latest report