Insider Blog

Temperatures this past Sunday night bottomed out at 24 degrees for the city of Columbia. If you have taken a stroll through most wooded areas around Mid-Missouri, you probably noticed a short period of flowers blooming. This early on-sent of pre mature blooming and budding has put plants at risk of damages from these cooler

Weather disasters are on the rise and affecting more of the population and property as a result. The number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year has increased from single digits at the start of the century to several dozen as we began the 2020s. Of all these disasters flooding is an associated threat in

Springtime brings warmer and wetter conditions but it also means a higher chance for severe weather. Of all severe weather and disasters flooding is by far the most common threat. Flooding is associated with 90% of weather disasters throughout the year so it’s important to stay prepared. The spring in particular is the most worrisome

Spring has sprung ahead of schedule this year with warmer and wetter conditions moving in quick. This isn’t a new trend, as spring has been pushing earlier every year, and this brings lots of shifts to the environment. In previous Climate Matters, we’ve looked at how shorter winters lead to changes in crop season and

It’s the third day of severe weather preparedness week in Missouri and Wednesday’s focus is tornado safety. Earlier today at 11 a.m., the state conducted an organized tornado warning system test. Many people were able to hear the tornado sirens whine from county to county. The tornado siren is effective when positioned outdoors, but residents

The second day of severe weather preparedness week focuses on lightning safety. Although these power bolts can make for some beautiful sights, it can also lead to deadly ones. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that 81 people have died from lightning from 2019-2023. A greater portion of this totals belongs to

Wildfires have been cropping up more across Mid-Missouri recently as dry conditions continue. Heading into early spring is one of the worst times for fires locally as dead vegetation can burn and be swept around by spring winds. This year’s drought has especially contributed to dry fuels in the area that can easily spread blazes

The Smokehouse Creek Wildfire continues to spread thanks to high winds and drought like conditions over the Texas Panhandle. Over 5000,000 acres has burned in North Texas as a result of wildfires that continue to rage on with little to no progress on containment. Over 1,000 people have been affected by these fires affected 621

Mid-Missouri will see a bright Full Moon tonight but it may still appear somewhat dimmer than usual. Tonight will be the annual Snow Moon as the Moon reaches its full phase in February, typically the coldest part of the year. But a Micromoon event will also occur at the same time, making the Moon appear

Wintertime is a nuisance to many because of snow and frigid temperatures but it is still an important time of year for the environment. Colder conditions bring an end to the growing season and allow the soil to recharge, while also keeping bug populations in check. But winter is losing its chill and you may