First Signs Of Exceptional Drought Found In Missouri’s New Drought Monitor

The new U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday showed the first signs of D4, or Exceptional Drought, in Missouri.

The new map shows parts of an 8-county area in central Missouri is in the highest level of drought on the scale used by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The northwest region’s map stayed very similar to last year. Most of Gentry and Worth Counties, Nodaway, most of Andrew County, and Atchison and Holt Counties remain pre-drought conditions. Half of Harrison and Daviess Counties, Grundy, Putnam, and Sullivan Counties are in Severe Drought. The rest of Harrison and Daviess Counties and most of DeKalb Counties are in Moderate Drought.

Categorically, 18 percent of the state has pre-drought conditions. 24 percent of the state shows Moderate Drought. 32 percent of the state has Severe Drought. 23 percent of Missouri has Extreme Drought. 3 percent of Missouri shows Exceptional Drought conditions.

In southern Iowa, the northern half of Decatur County is listed in Severe Drought. The rest of Decatur County and all of Ringgold County are in Moderate Drought. Eastern Wayne County shows Severe Drought. Taylor County shows pre-drought conditions.

Overall in Iowa, 44 percent of the state is in Moderate Drought. 39 percent is in Severe Drought. 4 percent of Iowa shows Extreme Drought.

7/13 Missouri Drought Monitor
7/13 Iowa Drought Monitor