Drought — Hickory, Missouri

2023-08-01 to 2023-08-31 · Hickory, Missouri

Event narrative

Periods of rainfall allowed for some improvements in the county through the month. Severe (D2) Drought condition shrank westward through the month though about half the county remained in Severe (D2) Drought with the remainder of the county in Moderate (D1) Drought. Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture. Farm and stock ponds saw continuing impacts with ground water levels and reservoirs showed modest impacts due to limited rainfall. Crop and vegetation growth showed signs of stress due to limited moisture. Monetary crop losses for 2023 beginning January first will be included in future reports when the drought ends and loses are assessed.

Wider weather episode

Some locations saw improvement from Extreme (D3) Drought by the end of August Extreme drought remained for portions of west central Missouri. Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) Drought conditions did contract across portions the Missouri Ozarks through the end of August but remained generally along and north of I-44. Rainfall amounts from 1 to 5 inches with localized 6 to 10 inch amounts occurred during the month allowing for improvement of drought conditions over southern Missouri during the month. Across central Missouri Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) drought contracted but remained across parts of west central Missouri. Severe (D2) drought also contracted in southwestern Missouri. Moderate (D1) Drought and Abnormally Dry (D0) condition areas made up much of the remainder of the area though some locations saw the removal of all drought conditions. The primary impacts of the drought occurred in the agricultural communities. Hay growth was impacted along with reports of crop and vegetation impacts due to limited soil and surface moisture, dry stock ponds and low flows on some streams and rivers. Final reports of damages will be placed in the last month the drought occurred in the counties impacted in 2023.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1135863. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.