Drought conditions have returned to the Ozarks. With last year’s drought still fresh in the mind of those involved in agriculture, this season brings with it questions on the impacts of another dry season.
Based on current readings on the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of our listening area is currently in a D-0 drought classification. This means that while we’re not in an official drought, we are seeing abnormally dry conditions. This means that chances for fires are increased, landscaping is stressed, and crop growth is stunted.
Currently, the only unaffected areas include Northern strips of Wright, Texas, and Shannon counties. Further North drought conditions consistently worsen, with peak drought existing at the heart of the state in D3 drought classification, which is one step away from maximum-level drought.
According to projections from the National Weather Center, above-normal temperatures are favored from now through August, but drought conditions are expected to improve. However, this doesn’t mean droughts in our area of the U.S. will conclusively improve or worsen.
To learn more about things you can do to prepare for potentially worsening drought conditions, follow this link here to see tips from the Red Cross on drought preparedness.
