US drought

Missouri drought conditions

32.4% of Missouri is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, down 1.4 points from the week before. The worst is extreme drought, across 5.6% of the state. 47 of 115 counties have some drought.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026.

In drought
32.4%
Worst category
D3 Extreme drought
Abnormally dry or worse
66%
Counties with drought
47 of 115

Every countyLive radarMissouri alertsMissouri forecasts

This week’s map

The Drought Monitor for Missouri, valid Sep 15, 2026. County lines are drawn in; the categories are the same as the national map.

US Drought Monitor map of Missouri for Sep 15, 2026, shaded D0 abnormally dry through D4 exceptional drought
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought

Open the live map with the Drought Monitor

Map courtesy of the US Drought Monitor, NDMC-UNL, with USDA and NOAA. Original at droughtmonitor.unl.edu

This week's map, by category

Percent of Missouri in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 33.6%, D1 11.2%, D2 15.6%, D3 5.6%, D4 0%; none 34%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse66%80.7%17.9%97.8%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse32.4%33.8%12.2%61.9%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse21.2%15.9%4.7%31.5%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse5.6%6%0.9%3.6%
D4 Exceptional drought0%0%0%0%
None34%19.3%82.1%2.2%

The past year

Percent of Missouri in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.

Percent of Missouri in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 32.4% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 66% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%OctNovDec2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
MapD0+D1+D2+D3+D4+
Sep 15, 202666%32.4%21.2%5.6%0%
Sep 8, 202680.7%33.8%15.9%6%0%
Sep 1, 202645.8%26.8%8.1%0.2%0%
Aug 25, 202641.3%14.8%2.4%0%0%
Aug 18, 202638.9%9.6%<0.1%0%0%
Aug 11, 202633.1%3.5%<0.1%0%0%
Aug 4, 202640.9%3.4%0%0%0%
Jul 28, 202616.1%2.8%0.4%0%0%
Jul 21, 202615.9%2.8%0.4%0%0%
Jul 14, 202615.7%2.8%0.4%0%0%
Jul 7, 202615.1%5.1%1.1%0%0%
Jun 30, 202613.3%5.1%1.1%0%0%
Jun 23, 202619.1%12.3%4.3%0.3%0%
Jun 16, 202617.9%12.2%4.7%0.9%0%
Jun 9, 202626.7%14.2%4.7%1.3%0%
Jun 2, 202630.6%15.5%5%1.3%0.2%
May 26, 202630%19.7%9.9%2.3%0.2%
May 19, 202630.5%19.7%10.6%4.3%0.9%
May 12, 202624.1%13.3%9.5%4.3%0%
May 5, 202618.2%13.3%9.5%4.3%0%
Apr 28, 202617.1%11.3%9.5%4.3%0%
Apr 21, 202623.8%11.9%8.5%5.2%<0.1%
Apr 14, 202639.1%21%10.8%6.8%<0.1%
Apr 7, 202643.4%20.3%7.9%0.7%<0.1%
Mar 31, 202678.5%32.1%9.3%0.6%<0.1%
Mar 24, 202678.5%30.9%7.7%0.5%0%
Mar 17, 202677.3%26.7%7.6%0.5%0%
Mar 10, 202694.6%34.9%8.5%1.8%0%
Mar 3, 202697.1%59.2%20%2.5%0%
Feb 24, 202694.9%55.8%20%2.5%0%
Feb 17, 202692.5%51.4%19.4%2.3%0%
Feb 10, 202692.5%72.8%31.2%1.5%0%
Feb 3, 202689.2%52.9%25.8%1.3%0%
Jan 27, 202689.2%52.9%24.9%0.9%0%
Jan 20, 202689.2%53.7%24.9%0.9%0%
Jan 13, 202689.2%51.2%20.5%0%0%
Jan 6, 202695.3%57.5%11.6%0%0%
Dec 30, 202594.3%44.1%5.9%0%0%
Dec 23, 202588.3%34.9%5.3%0%0%
Dec 16, 202584.7%32.3%5.3%0%0%
Dec 9, 202579.8%30.5%4.6%0%0%
Dec 2, 202576.3%31.9%4.6%0%0%
Nov 25, 202575.5%34.1%4.6%0%0%
Nov 18, 202593.3%63.9%21.8%0%0%
Nov 11, 202591.3%63.5%19.4%0%0%
Nov 4, 202591.3%60.8%19.4%0%0%
Oct 28, 202597.1%68.3%24.4%2.8%0%
Oct 21, 202597.1%73.2%22.2%2.8%0%
Oct 14, 202598.5%76.9%35.9%3.9%0%
Oct 7, 202597.5%70.9%26.8%0%0%
Sep 30, 202593.4%63.6%22.2%0%0%
Sep 23, 202593.5%64%22.4%3.6%0%
Sep 16, 202597.8%61.9%31.5%3.6%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Missouri since January 2000.

Percent of Missouri in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 32.4% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 66% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%200420082012201620202024
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
YearWorst categoryMost in droughtWeek ofWeeks with drought
2026D4 Exceptional drought72.8%Feb 1037 of 37
2025D3 Extreme drought76.9%Oct 1446 of 52
2024D3 Extreme drought74%Oct 2947 of 53
2023D4 Exceptional drought83.8%Dec 1952 of 52
2022D4 Exceptional drought82.4%Oct 1833 of 52
2021D2 Severe drought4%Dec 1420 of 52
2020D3 Extreme drought16.5%Oct 2027 of 52
2019D1 Moderate drought1.3%Oct 13 of 53
2018D4 Exceptional drought83.3%Aug 1448 of 52
2017D3 Extreme drought79.2%Mar 2144 of 52
2016D2 Severe drought14.4%Apr 2624 of 52
2015D1 Moderate drought36.1%Oct 2715 of 52
2014D2 Severe drought20.8%Feb 440 of 52
2013D2 Severe drought94.7%Jan 845 of 53
2012D4 Exceptional drought100%Jul 1734 of 52
2011D3 Extreme drought53%Nov 134 of 52
2010D3 Extreme drought16.1%Aug 3126 of 52
2009D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2008D1 Moderate drought6.7%Jan 11 of 53
2007D3 Extreme drought53.2%Aug 2131 of 52
2006D3 Extreme drought85.5%Mar 752 of 52
2005D3 Extreme drought81.9%Jul 2635 of 52
2004D3 Extreme drought28.7%Oct 524 of 52
2003D3 Extreme drought70%Aug 2652 of 52
2002D3 Extreme drought57.5%Dec 335 of 53
2001D2 Severe drought29.4%May 1533 of 52
2000D3 Extreme drought97.6%May 252 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Missouri was in drought on 64% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the state the week of Jun 2, 2026.

Weeks with some drought
890 of 1,394 (64%)
Worst category reached
D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Jun 2, 2026
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Oct 2, 2012
Longest spell
102 weeks, Jun 28, 2022 to Jun 4, 2024
Current spell
58 weeks, since Aug 12, 2025

Counties

Every county in Missouri: the worst category on this week's map, the share of it in drought, and CPC's monthly outlook at its center. Each page has the county's record since 2000.

CountyWorst categoryIn droughtChangeMonthly outlook
Adair CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Andrew CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Atchison CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Audrain CountyD1 Moderate drought46.6%0No drought expected
Barry CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Barton CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought persists
Bates CountyD1 Moderate drought15.4%−84.5Drought development likely
Benton CountyD1 Moderate drought52.2%−0.3Drought development likely
Bollinger CountyNone0%0Drought development likely
Boone CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Buchanan CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Butler CountyD2 Severe drought50.5%−20.7Drought persists
Caldwell CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Callaway CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Camden CountyD2 Severe drought96.1%0Drought development likely
Cape Girardeau CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Carroll CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Carter CountyD1 Moderate drought71.6%+3.2Drought development likely
Cass CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%−22.7Drought development likely
Cedar CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Chariton CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Christian CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought development likely
City of Saint LouisD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Clark CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Clay CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Clinton CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Cole CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Cooper CountyNone0%0Drought development likely
Crawford CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Dade CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought persists
Dallas CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Daviess CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
DeKalb CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Dent CountyD2 Severe drought24.7%0Drought development likely
Douglas CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Dunklin CountyD2 Severe drought69.6%−12.5Drought persists
Franklin CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Gasconade CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Gentry CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Greene CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Grundy CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Harrison CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Henry CountyD1 Moderate drought35.5%−47.5Drought development likely
Hickory CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Holt CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Howard CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Howell CountyD2 Severe drought100%+9.7Drought development likely
Iron CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Jackson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Jasper CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Jefferson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Johnson CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Knox CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Laclede CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Lafayette CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Lawrence CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Lewis CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Lincoln CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Linn CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Livingston CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Macon CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Madison CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Maries CountyD1 Moderate drought4%0Drought development likely
Marion CountyNone0%0No drought expected
McDonald CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Mercer CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Miller CountyD2 Severe drought18.6%0Drought development likely
Mississippi CountyNone0%0Drought development likely
Moniteau CountyNone0%0Drought development likely
Monroe CountyD1 Moderate drought41.7%−19.9No drought expected
Montgomery CountyD1 Moderate drought2.1%0No drought expected
Morgan CountyD1 Moderate drought1.9%0Drought development likely
New Madrid CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Newton CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Nodaway CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Oregon CountyD2 Severe drought100%+42.4Drought development likely
Osage CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Ozark CountyD3 Extreme drought95.7%0Drought development likely
Pemiscot CountyD1 Moderate drought32.8%0Drought development likely
Perry CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Pettis CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Phelps CountyD2 Severe drought32%0Drought development likely
Pike CountyD1 Moderate drought34%0No drought expected
Platte CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Polk CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought persists
Pulaski CountyD3 Extreme drought99.9%0Drought persists
Putnam CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Ralls CountyD1 Moderate drought25.9%0No drought expected
Randolph CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Ray CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Reynolds CountyD1 Moderate drought0.4%0Drought development likely
Ripley CountyD2 Severe drought93.8%−1.4Drought persists
Saint Charles CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Saint Francois CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Saint Louis CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Sainte Genevieve CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Saline CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Schuyler CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Scotland CountyNone0%0No drought expected
Scott CountyNone0%0Drought development likely
Shannon CountyD1 Moderate drought36.9%+25.3Drought development likely
Shelby CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%−0.1Drought development likely
St. Clair CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Stoddard CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%−6.7Drought development likely
Stone CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought persists
Sullivan CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Taney CountyD3 Extreme drought93.2%0Drought persists
Texas CountyD3 Extreme drought100%+1.8Drought persists
Vernon CountyD2 Severe drought98.2%−1.8Drought development likely
Warren CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Washington CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Wayne CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0Drought development likely
Webster CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought development likely
Worth CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Wright CountyD3 Extreme drought100%0Drought development likely

Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center's monthly drought outlook for Sep 2026, read at the center of each county. Its seasonal outlook runs through December 31; each county page has both.

  • Drought development likely59 counties
  • No_Drought40 counties
  • Drought persists16 counties

What drought has meant in Missouri

The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Missouri at each level of drought.

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Canoe business declines
  • Fires increase
  • Landscaping is stressed; lawns are brown; birds show signs of stress
  • Pasture and row crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • River levels decline

D1 Moderate drought

  • Fire threat increases; burn bans begin
  • Pond and river levels decline
  • Topsoil is dry; corn yield is small; pastures are not growing; crops are stressed
  • Urban watering is extensive

D2 Severe drought

  • Soil cracks are large and deep; corn and soybeans are cut for silage
  • Surface water levels are very low; low reservoirs are noticeable; voluntary city water restrictions are requested
  • Trees are stressed
  • Vegetable produce is smaller and yields are decreased

D3 Extreme drought

  • Building foundation damage occurs
  • Burn bans are common; fires spread easily
  • Corn is high in nitrates; major crop loss is reported; hay and water for cattle is limited; hay is expensive; producers are hauling water
  • Mature tree death is common; insect populations decrease; fish kills occur
  • Ponds are dried; wells are drying; large lakes and reservoirs are extremely low; mandatory water restrictions are implemented

D4 Exceptional drought

  • Agriculture loss is widespread
  • Bird hunting decreases
  • Cattle sales increase; cattle are lighter at auctions; producers are culling; premature birthing is reported
  • Landscape goes dormant
  • People are digging deeper and more wells, extending pipelines; Lack of hydropower causes electrical failures
  • People are in a state of desperation

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

This week in the Midwest

The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.

Significant rainfall was observed over western Kentucky as well as over central-to-north Missouri, leading in removal of abnormally dry conditions. Heavy rain also fell in northwestern Iowa, northern Minnesota, and a band across central Wisconsin, with drought improvement as a result in these locations. Meanwhile, a mostly rain-free week in northern Illinois and Indiana caused introduction of an abnormally dry area. Extreme drought conditions can be found in southern Missouri, northern Wisconsin, and along the borders of Minnesota with both Wisconsin and North Dakota.

Looking ahead

Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.

The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.

Written by Lindsay Johnson, National Drought Mitigation Center; David Mocko, SSAI, NASA/GSFC. The national narrative.

What this means

The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.

D0 Abnormally dry
Going into or coming out of drought.
D1 Moderate drought
Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
D2 Severe drought
Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
D3 Extreme drought
Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
D4 Exceptional drought
Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.

The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.

Sources

Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.