Missouri Drought Conditions Improve After Recent Rainfall

Shamrocks across the state are greener after spells of showers, according to the latest US Drought Monitor report.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:59pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The latest US Drought Monitor report for Missouri indicates that abnormally dry conditions have decreased across much of the state, especially in the central and northern regions. Several counties that were previously experiencing abnormal dryness or moderate drought have seen improvements thanks to recent rainfall and even snowfall.

Why it matters

Drought conditions can have significant impacts on agriculture, water resources, and the overall environment. The improvement in drought status across Missouri is a positive sign for the state's ecosystems and economy, which rely heavily on adequate precipitation.

The details

The weekly US Drought Monitor update, based on conditions as of March 17, 2026, shows an end to abnormally dry conditions for Chariton, Howard, Lafayette, Pettis, Ray and Saline counties, along with most of Cooper and southern Randolph counties. Moderate drought also retreated from Randolph and most of Macon counties in the past week due to the prolonged showers and snowfall.

  • The US Drought Monitor report is based on conditions as of March 17, 2026.
  • The latest update shows a 17-point increase in the percentage of Missouri with normal or excess moisture compared to the previous week.

The players

The U.S. Drought Monitor

A joint effort between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to monitor drought conditions across the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The recent rainfall and snowfall have helped alleviate drought conditions in many parts of Missouri, a positive development for the state's agriculture, water resources, and overall environment. However, a significant portion of the state remains in moderate or worse stages of drought, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and water conservation efforts.