Flash Drought Intensifies Across Arkansas and Missouri

Much of Arkansas and Missouri remains under worsening drought conditions as extreme heat and below-normal rainfall continue to impact the central United States, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The weekly map released Thursday shows drought expanding and intensifying across portions of both states as "flash drought" conditions persist from Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley.

The drought monitor reported that above-normal temperatures, in some locations running 10 to 15 degrees above average, combined with very limited rainfall to worsen conditions across the Ozarks. Areas of moderate, severe, and extreme drought continue to affect agriculture, water supplies, and wildfire risk.

In Arkansas, portions of Carroll and Madison Counties are at a Severe Drought Level while Boone, Marion, Newton, and Searcy Counties continue in an Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought range.

Conditions have worsened in Missouri where now areas in Barry, Stone, and Taney Counties north of a Cassville-Kimberling City-Branson Line have reached Extreme Drought Levels while the rest of the region is at a Moderate to Severe Level. 

For the Ozarks region, including Branson, and Harrison, drought impacts continue to include stressed pastures, declining pond and stream levels, elevated fire danger, and pressure on agricultural operations. The drought monitor notes that prolonged dry conditions can lead to reduced crop yields, increased feed costs, and greater wildfire risk.

Nationally, more than half of the lower 48 states are currently experiencing drought conditions, with Missouri listed among the states where drought worsened during the past week.