Where Missouri stands with drought and where it’s going

This past Monday the 28th, Missouri's governor Mike Parson signed an executive order extending the drought alert until March 1, 2023. The point of this executive order was to help and continue to support Missouri farmers throughout the winter month's. As the growing season for crops has passed, the focus goes toward hydration for Missouri's cattle farmers who have issues with properly maintaining ponds and embankments.

The latest drought monitor update from last Thursday shows that 85% of Missouri is still experiencing below average rainfall trends with some areas, including in Mid-Missouri, experiencing severe drought levels.

According to the Columbia Regional airport automated station, Columbia is experiencing near average rainfall totals for the month of November. To escape drought standards, higher than average monthly rainfall totals are needed.

Looking into the extended outlook for Mid-Missouri for the next 6-10 days, there looks to be additional relief on the way. Wetter than average conditions are expected as various of active low pressure systems are forecasted throughout the Midwest.

The focus eventually shifts into snowfall totals later this winter. Farmers look forward to a decent amount of snow as it helps saturate the moisture more effectively as water is more effectively transferred into the soil than water caused by heavy showers which tend to contribute more to run-off.