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 year and expanded through Wayne and Butler Counties during January. Very dry conditions continued through February with a half inch to an inch of precipitation for the month, around 2.5-3 below normal, and the 2nd driest February in Poplar Bluff. The entirety of winter across Southeast Missouri finished with record low winter precipitation, with 2.44 at Poplar Bluff. By the end of February, roughly half of Carter and Ripley Counties had changed to D3 (Extreme Drought) status. Occurring in between the '25 and '26 growing seasons, impacts from drought in February were very limited. Drought conditions continued into March.