Tracking latest drought conditions
Mid-Missouri has seen worsening drought conditions over the past two months as April alone saw only 0.58" total according to the Columbia Regional Airport weather station known as an ASOS. This lackluster of rainfall comes at poor timing as farmers have mostly finished their planting going into the growing season.
The latest drought monitor released last Thursday adds extreme drought conditions to the region including Columbia making its way to the southwest near Sedalia. Severe drought conditions have also expanded to the northwest.
May is already starting behind the ball with decreased rainfall totals. The current total stands at 1.88", while the average total leading up to this past Sunday sits at 2.32".
When looking back at the past 30 days, many areas see an even further separation from average rainfall totals. Columbia is just over 2" short of rainfall while Jefferson City is nearly 2.5" short.
When reviewing the months of January- April, the typical rainfall total average for Columbia usually sits around 12". This year, Columbia has only seen just over 7" total of rainfall meaning the area is almost 5" short very early on. Today's showers and storms look to help some areas across Central Missouri, but it will take a very active pattern for over a week to solve the current deteriorating conditions.
