Mid-Missouri experiencing driest December in nearly a decade

At 1.01″, the Columbia Regional Airport is coming in as the 26th driest December on record, with only 4 more days to go. This is a far cry from the driest December ever recorded back in 1955 of 0.19″, as well as last year which was one of the wettest December’s on record.

The 26th ranking is likely to stick, as there is very limited chances at seeing rain as we head into the next 4 days. The greatest chances comes as we head into New Years Eve, but most of the rain is likely to hug areas south of Hwy 50.

The latest drought monitor as of December 20th, has all of Mid-Missouri under abnormally dry conditions, but there is likely good news heading into the new year. Medium to long term models are hinting at several upper level disturbances swinging across the midsection of the US. It’s this pattern that is setting up Mid-Missouri to open the new year up with seeing above average precipitation. Of course, that all comes after we are likely to end 2016 on a dry note.