Insider Blog: Drought alert extended as Mid-MO lags behind on rain

Despite an active spring with rain and storms, Missouri remains gripped by a years-long drought. Past months have seen sporadic bouts of rainfall with dry stretches in between that are only slowly eating away at the drought. It will take even more above-average rain to wash out dry conditions locally and the spring season is already coming to a close.

A wider look at the past year of rain shows nearly the entire state is only near-average, but still on the drier side. This has kept a steady drought with Mid-MO since summer 2022 and it will take more than scattered rain here and there to improve.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson extended the statewide drought alert through September 1, 2024, as dry conditions continue to impact several sectors. Agriculture and river commerce have particularly been impacted by crop losses and low water levels on waterways. While wetter-than-average conditions are forecast for the next few weeks, Parson says the drought alert will continue as long as farmers and businesses are feeling the strain.