Drought — Barton, Missouri

2023-10-01 to 2023-10-31 · Barton, Missouri

Event narrative

Rainfall through the month allowed for improvement across the county though Moderate (D1) Drought conditions continued across the northern portions of the county through the end of October. The US Drought Monitor indicated that much of the remainder of the county was Abnormally (D0) dry. Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture with farm and stock ponds low but improved. Dry conditions caused grasses to dry and significantly impact hay production causing losses in hay cutting. Many farmers saw impacts to row crops such as soy beans, corn and other specialty crops. Crop loss estimates notated in this month encompass losses from continued drought since March 2023.

Wider weather episode

Some locations saw improvement through the month but areas of the Extreme (D3) Drought saw expansion through the end of September. Drought conditions did contract across portions the Missouri Ozarks generally along and south of I-44. Rainfall amounts from 1 to 3 inches with localized 3 to 5 inch amounts occurred during the month allowing for improvement of drought conditions over southern Missouri. Across central Missouri Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) drought expanded or remained. 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 1143810. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.