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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Missouri

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Missouri using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Missouri. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fires increase
  • River levels decline
7.5
of MO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; corn yield is small; pastures are not growing; crops are stressed
  • Urban watering is extensive; pond and river levels decline
  • Fire threat increases; burn bans begin
1.5
of MO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil cracks are large and deep; corn and soybeans are cut for silage
  • Vegetable produce is smaller, and yields are decreased; trees are stressed
  • Surface water levels are very low; low reservoirs are noticeable; voluntary city water restrictions are requested
0.2
of MO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Corn is high in nitrates; major crop loss is reported; hay and water for cattle is limited; hay is expensive; producers are hauling water
  • Burn bans are common; fires spread easily
  • Ponds are dried; wells are drying; large lakes and reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
0.0
of MO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural loss is widespread
  • Cattle sales increase; cattle are lighter at auctions; producers are culling; premature birthing is reported
  • People are digging deeper and more wells, extending pipelines; lack of hydropower causes electrical failures
0.0
of MO
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fires increase
  • River levels decline
2.6
of MO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; corn yield is small; pastures are not growing; crops are stressed
  • Urban watering is extensive; pond and river levels decline
  • Fire threat increases; burn bans begin
0.2
of MO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil cracks are large and deep; corn and soybeans are cut for silage
  • Vegetable produce is smaller, and yields are decreased; trees are stressed
  • Surface water levels are very low; low reservoirs are noticeable; voluntary city water restrictions are requested
0.0
of MO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Corn is high in nitrates; major crop loss is reported; hay and water for cattle is limited; hay is expensive; producers are hauling water
  • Burn bans are common; fires spread easily
  • Ponds are dried; wells are drying; large lakes and reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
0.0
of MO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural loss is widespread
  • Cattle sales increase; cattle are lighter at auctions; producers are culling; premature birthing is reported
  • People are digging deeper and more wells, extending pipelines; lack of hydropower causes electrical failures
0.0
of MO
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fires increase
  • River levels decline
11.2
of MO
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; corn yield is small; pastures are not growing; crops are stressed
  • Urban watering is extensive; pond and river levels decline
  • Fire threat increases; burn bans begin
1.6
of MO
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Soil cracks are large and deep; corn and soybeans are cut for silage
  • Vegetable produce is smaller, and yields are decreased; trees are stressed
  • Surface water levels are very low; low reservoirs are noticeable; voluntary city water restrictions are requested
0.0
of MO
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Corn is high in nitrates; major crop loss is reported; hay and water for cattle is limited; hay is expensive; producers are hauling water
  • Burn bans are common; fires spread easily
  • Ponds are dried; wells are drying; large lakes and reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
0.0
of MO
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural loss is widespread
  • Cattle sales increase; cattle are lighter at auctions; producers are culling; premature birthing is reported
  • People are digging deeper and more wells, extending pipelines; lack of hydropower causes electrical failures
0.0
of MO
(D4)
36,239
people in Missouri are affected by drought
54
counties with USDA disaster designations
37th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
37th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Missouri from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in Missouri lasted 99 weeks beginning on July 2, 2002 and ending on May 18, 2004. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 21, 2012 where D4 affected 35.72% of Missouri land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to

Drought Resources for Missouri

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Regional Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Midwest & Missouri River Basin Drought Email Lists
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Midwest and Missouri River Basin.

North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Summary and Outlook Webinars
This webinar series, which covers the region from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, includes a summary of past and current conditions, potential and ongoing impacts across sectors (e.g., agriculture, water resources, navigation), and outlook information.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.