Drought Information Statement for the Missouri Ozarks Valid September 11, 2025 Issued By: WFO Springfield, MO Contact Information: contact.sgf@noaa.gov This product will be updated October 2, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/sgf/SGFDroughtMonitor for additional information. Required Slide 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Lower Midwest Drought expanded Across the Ozarks Region Limited rainfall across much of southern Missouri over the last 30-60 days has allowed drought conditions to worsen and expand. Drought Intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Oregon, southern Shannon, Howell, Ozark, Douglas, Taney, Christian, Stone, Barry, southeastern Lawrence, Greene, southeastern Polk, southwestern Dallas and western Webster Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Areas around the Severe Drought afflicted Counties into and across Central Missouri. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Areas around the Moderate drought afflicted Counties. Required Slide State Drought Monitor Link to Recent Change Maps Main Takeaways Limited rainfall across much of southern Missouri over the last 30-60 days has allowed drought conditions to worsen and expand. Far southeastern Kansas remains around normal with the exception of much of Cherokee county were abnormally dry conditions are present. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to Recent Change Maps Main Takeaways Limited rainfall across much of southern Missouri over the last 30-60 days has allowed drought conditions to worsen and expand across the Missouri Ozarks and the Mark Twain National Forest region. This lack of rainfall and warm temperatures has allowed a Flash Drought to develop with some areas seeing rapid rise in drought conditions over the past 3-4 weeks. Precipitation Main Takeaways Portions of southern Missouri have seen little to no rain over the past 30 to 60 days. Elsewhere, precipitation was generally near to below normal after a record dry August. Required Slide Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflow percentiles over the past 7 days were generally near normal across SE Kansas the Missouri Ozarks. Agricultural Impacts Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMORs) have increased over the past several weeks indicating dry ponds, dead grass, crop impacts and potential reduced crop yield in the D1 and D2 areas. Fire Hazard Impacts Dry conditions were allowing 1 and 10 hour fuels to cure which may bring and early start to the fall Fire Weather season. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation actions Some farmers and ranchers have begun supplement feeding of livestock and hauling water. The Missouri Department of Agriculture has an AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474. Required Slide Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Main Takeaway The weather pattern over the next 7 days may only bring isolated chances for rainfall to the Ozarks. Most locations are expected to be dry and those locations that do receive rainfall will see amounts generally less than a few hundredths of an inch. 8 to 14 Day Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation are favored. Monthly Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation are favored. Seasonal Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation are favored. Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook | Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Main Takeaways Drought persists and expands for portions of Missouri through September. Drought remains possibly expanding through November. Required Slide Additional Drought Resources For Additional Information NWS Springfield Webpage | IDSS Point Forecasts NWS Springfield Drought Monitor Resources Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook Missouri Drought Monitor | Kansas Drought Monitor Drought Monitor Archive CPC Drought Information National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) Missouri USGS Streamflows | Kansas USGS Streamflows Drought Safety