Severe drought returns to parts of southwest Missouri as heat threat grows
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Severe drought has returned to parts of southwest Missouri as forecasters warn that extreme heat could worsen conditions in early September.
The National Weather Service said portions of Newton, McDonald, Barry and Stone counties are now experiencing severe drought.
Moderate drought has expanded across the rest of far southwest Missouri, including the Joplin area, and into southeast Kansas.
Drought conditions have either worsened or remained unchanged across most of the region during the past four weeks.
Most areas in southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas received less than 4 inches of rain during the past 30 days, while some locations recorded less than an inch. Rainfall across much of the region was less than 75% of normal.
Agricultural reports indicate localized crop losses, early harvesting and an increased need for supplemental livestock feed. Some ponds are drying up, while prolonged heat is affecting cattle.
The Climate Prediction Center says much of southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas could experience rapidly developing drought and extreme heat from Sept. 3-9.
Drought is expected to persist or expand during the next one to three months.
