Flash Drought Entrenches South Of Route 24

Drought conditions in Missouri as of July 19th, 2022. (The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.)

Just over half of Missouri is in some stage of drought, as dry conditions have engulfed nearly every part of the state south of Route 24. The weekly drought monitor showed nearly all affected areas jumping a level on the monitor, with extreme drought now reported in Oregon, southern Howell, and the edges of Carter, Ripley and Shannon counties. Severe drought is impacting nearly a third of Missouri, with the main impact area covering virtually all of southwest and south central Missouri, and as far north as Maries County. The drought patch stretching from Columbia west to Lone Jack in eastern Jackson County has also entered the severe stage, and a new area of severe drought has emerged over Mississippi, New Madrid, southern Scott, and eastern Stoddard counties.

Moderate drought expanded in the past week to cover Franklin and Gasconade counties, then proceed upriver to a majority of Callaway, Cooper, Lafayette, Moniteau, and Saline counties. Southern Jackson, central Johnson, and northern Cass counties, along with northern Cole and Osage counties, have also fallen into drought. Central Iron and northeastern Reynolds counties also entered moderate drought this week. With the exception of a band through central Jefferson County, the southeastern corner of Perry County, and northern Cape Girardeau County, remaining areas have entered or remain in abnormal dryness. Just 26.4 percent of Missouri remains in a normal stage of dryness or with adequate moisture.