Drought in Ozark, Missouri

While some rainfall did occur, below the monthly average rainfall occurred for most of the county, which produced continued dry conditions. This allowed drought to remain Severe (D2) to Abnormally Dry (D0) across the county by the end of the month. Impacts across the region were largely limited to farm and stock ponds, stream and river levels and soil moisture with some ground water levels also falling. Losses however, will be determined once the drought improves beyond Severe (D2) Drought conditions and will include mostly any agricultural impacts unless other significant, non-Ag impacts were noted.

The month began with Extreme (D3) drought lingering across the Ozarks with limited precipitation through the month. Despite the rainfall, portions of south central Missouri saw less amounts allowing Extreme (D3) Drought conditions to linger across far south central Missouri. Elsewhere, drought conditions saw improvement across portions of southwestern Missouri. By the end of the month, along with the Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) Drought conditions, Moderate (D1) Drought and Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions remained. The primary impacts of the drought during the winter months is in the form of surface and ground water, including soil moisture in the absence of agricultural activities. Many of the impacts noted included, but were not limited to, dry stock ponds, low stream and river flows, dry top soils which can lead to impacts to spring crop yields, forage production, delayed spring growth and increases in wild fires prior to spring green up. Low flows on some streams and rivers were noted but not widespread. Some limited monetary losses were noted in areas where the drought continued from 2025 but losses will be reported when drought conditions improve past Severe (D2) Drought conditions or the end of the year.