Missouri drought improves 90% over the past year

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Ozarks look a little different this summer. By late July, we are usually surrounded by dead grass and dried out fields. This summer, there is plenty of green in all directions.

Thanks to above-average rainfall, only 1% of Missouri is registering on the drought monitor.

One year ago, nearly 95% of Missouri was showing up with drought-like conditions on the weekly drought monitor. Over 20% of Missouri had “exceptional drought” conditions.

Pockets of Arkansas are still showing up dry. Around 8.5% of Arkansas is abnormally dry, while 0.25% falls in moderate drought conditions.

Since April, rainfall in Springfield has been consistently above average. April ended +2.7 above average, and June and July were over an inch above average in precipitation.

Springfield has received 30.44″ of rain for the year. The average for the first seven months is 26.92″. Currently, Springfield has a surplus of 3.52″ for 2024.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.