After an unusually wet summer, conditions have taken a sharp turn. With the latest drought monitor update, drought conditions are once again taking over the Ozarks.

In Missouri alone, drought conditions have grown to nearly 80% of the state. Currently, most areas are under abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions. One area near the bootheel is now considered in a severe drought.

At the start of the summer, much of the Ozarks was left out of the drought monitor. However, it was a very different story from this time last year. In September, 10% of the state was under extreme drought conditions.

It has been 18 days since the Ozarks have seen measurable rain. On August 24, 2024, we picked up 0.25". It has been nearly one month since we received an inch of rain.

The remnants of Francine are expected to impact parts of the Ozarks late Thursday into Friday. However, Francine will encounter a dry air mass as it moves into the Midwest. This dry air surrounding the storm to the north and west of the track will cause rain chances to fall off quickly from east to west with most areas west of Hwy. 65 not seeing any rain at all.

News Source : https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/rain-rain-come-our-way-the-ozarks-needs-it/