Drought problems building into Mid-Missouri

For every single week since the summer of 2017, some form of a drought has been in place across Missouri. Just three months ago only 66 percent of the state was under some form of a drought, now as we close in on the third week of January nearly 100 percent of the state is seeing drought conditions. The only area not riddled by a drought, is extreme southeastern portions of the Missouri Bootheel.

Here at home, Mid-Missouri is not only seeing abnormally dry conditions, but a severe drought as well. While only affecting areas near Interstate 44, the severe drought has been slowly building into the region. Even amid the two inches of snow that Mid-Missouri has seen within the last week, it only amounted to a tenth of an inch of liquid precipitation.

It’s this lack of rain that has been holding steady for a number of months. Since June 2017, Mid-Missouri has a rain deficit closing in on 9 inches. The lack of rain was certainly felt during the fall months, as fall 2017 closed as the driest since 1999. While winter doesn’t usually bring to mind drought conditions, the dormant trees and grasses will likely suffer affects of the drought as we head into the growing season.

Atmospheric patterns are shifting, with signs pointing to a wetter pattern for Mid-Missouri. Beginning this weekend, a cold front with Pacific origins will track through Mid-Missouri bringing some much needed rain to the region. Although it won’t be a drought buster, any rain will be beneficial for the dry soil. The Climate Prediction Center notes that as we head into the end of this month and the first week of February, there’s a decent chance we’ll see above average precipitation.

For Mid-Missouri, it will take anywhere from three to seven inches of rain to alleviate the drought conditions.