Rains bring flood risks and drought relief across Mid-Missouri

After a dry July, drought crept back into the Show-Me state. Right now, more than a third of the state is running drier than normal. Meteorologists in southern Missouri say the soil and vegetation dried out fast under the heat.

"All of those soils and fuels down there are drying out very efficiently with all of the warmth and the lack of precipitation... there is a risk for extreme heat and especially the southwestern corner of the state."

But August flipped the script. Storms have dumped a month's worth of rain on parts of Mid-Missouri in just the first couple weeks. Columbia's already logged just over 4 inches, nearly matching its entire August average of 4.14.

"The last couple weeks, central Missouri has seen up to 8 to 10 inches in some areas... most of Missouri is actually drought-free right now, if you can believe it. Just not necessarily down in the southwestern portion of the state."

That gap is stark: the southwest corner sits 3 to 4 inches below normal for the month, while central Missouri is running 6 to 7 inches above. Camden and Pulaski Counties are the driest in our area, at roughly half their normal rainfall.

"Down towards the Springfield area, there's a lesser risk... we have more of an ability to soak up that moisture with the drier soils that we have down here."

Relief and risk are both on the way. Rain chances build Tuesday through Thursday, with up to an inch possible, though the heaviest totals again favor the north. The Weather Prediction Center has posted a slight risk for flash flooding Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, roughly a 1-in-6 chance, for areas that are already saturated.