Drought in Carter, Missouri

Drought conditions developed in the Ozark Foothills of Southeast Missouri early September due to a very dry August and first half of September. While conditions improved with October rainfall, D2 (Severe Drought) remained in northwestern Carter County and southwestern Ripley County through the end of the year into January. Very dry conditions in December continued into January with monthly rainfall of 1-2 inches across Southeast Missouri. D2 drought expanded through the rest of Carter/Ripley Counties and all of Butler/Wayne Counties early January. Occurring in between the '25 and '26 growing seasons, impacts from drought in January were very limited. Drought conditions continued into February.