Swift changes in recent weather patterns are arriving too late to quench Northwest Missouri’s dry crops.
But the welcome precipitation has done much to allay fears the conditions will persist.
The latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows the dry conditions that have lasted for months across the region have begun to pull back thanks to the recent rainfall.
An update provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources shows roughly 55 percent of the state is experiencing dry or drought conditions — an improvement of almost 12 percent from the previous week.
Among counties no longer considered to be in a “D2” (severe) or greater drought status are Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway and Worth.
The department said this marks the first time since July 31 that no Missouri counties have been listed in a “D4” or exceptional drought status, and also is the first time since July 3 that no counties are in the “D3” or extreme drought category.
On Friday, Missouri State Climatologist Pat Guinan told News-Press Now that an easing of the drought for Northwest Missouri actually took root back in mid-August.
“Precipitation totals over the past 60 days range from 13 to 20 inches, or 6 to 12 inches above normal, across the region,” Guinan said.
“The rainfall over the past couple months has been the hydrological antidote to the situation.”