Drought in Missouri, July 1 to 31, 2011

Name: Drought in Missouri, July 1 to 31, 2011
Start: 2011-07-01T06:00
End: 2011-07-31T23:59
Location: Missouri

July 1 to 31, 2011 · NWS SGF · 12 events in 12 counties and zones

Dry conditions began to impact portions of the Missouri Ozarks in July as D0 drought developed over western and southern portions of Missouri at the start of the month. By the end of July, D2 drought had advanced into extreme southwestern portions of the CWA as rainfall had become sparse.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 12 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SGF wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Springfield, MO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 1, 5:09 AM CST, 51 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 1, 5:09 AM CST, 51 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
609 AM CDT FRI JUL 1 2011

...UPDATE TO AVIATION...

.DISCUSSION...

IT'S HOT AS A FIRECRACKER OUT THERE AS WE HEAD INTO THE FOURTH OF
JULY WEEKEND. THE UPPER LEVEL RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE IS CENTERED
OVER NORTHERN MISSOURI THIS MORNING. HOT AND DRY WEATHER WILL BE
THE RULE OF THUMB FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. HIGHS WILL REMAIN IN THE
MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S WITH A FEW LOCATIONS POSSIBLY REACHING THE
CENTURY MARK. THE HEAT INDEX WILL BE REACHING 100 TO UP TO 108 IN
SOME AREAS. WE WILL BE CLOSE TO A RECORD HIGH ONCE AGAIN FOR
SGF...JLN...AND MAYBE UNO AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON. SEE CLIMATE
SECTION BELOW FOR RECORD HIGHS FOR TODAY. WILL LET THE ONGOING HEAT
ADVISORY STAY IN PLACE THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

THE HIGH REPOSITIONS ITSELF BACK TO THE WEST OVER THE ROCKIES BY
THE END OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THIS WILL ALLOW FOR A SHORTWAVE TO
MOVE ACROSS THE MIDWEST AND A WEAK FRONT POSSIBLY MAKING ITS WAY
DOWN INTO CENTRAL MISSOURI. THIS WILL GIVE THE AREA A DECENT CHANCE
FOR SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STORMS AND A BREAK IN THE EXTREME HEAT.

AS WE LOOK INTO NEXT WEEK...A RIDGE WILL STAY IN PLACE OVER THE
ROCKIES AND A NORTHWEST FLOW SETS UP OVER THE MIDWEST WITH WEAK
DISTURBANCES RIDING DOWN THE FLOW. A WEAK FRONTAL BOUNDARY ALSO
LOOKS LIKE IT WILL POSITION ITSELF ACROSS THE MID MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
AND MISSOURI RIVER VALLEY AREA. THIS WILL GIVE THE AREA A SLIGHT
CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND STORMS EACH DAY WITH POTENTIAL NOCTURNAL MCS.
AT THIS TIME...IT IS HARD TO PINPOINT DOWN TIMING OF THESE
DISTURBANCES. IT LOOKS LIKE MORE SEASONABLE TEMPERATURES AND SOME
RAIN CHANCES WILL BE IN THE CARDS FOR THE MIDDLE AND END OF NEXT
WEEK.

GRIFFIN

&&

.AVIATION...
/ISSUED 606 AM CDT FRI JUL 1 2011/

HIGH PRESSURE ALOFT AND AT THE SURFACE WILL CONTINUE TO DOMINATE
OUR WEATHER THROUGH SATURDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN VFR CONDITIONS
AT AREA TERMINALS.

FOSTER

&&

.CLIMATE...

BELOW ARE THE RECORD HIGHS FOR TODAY...

       HIGH     YEAR
SGF......98.....1931
JLN.....102.....1980
UNO......99.....1952
VIH.....106.....1980

GRIFFIN

&&

.SGF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT SATURDAY FOR MOZ055>058-066>070-
     077>081-088>095-101>104.

     HEAT ADVISORY FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM CDT SATURDAY FOR MOZ071-
     082-083.

KS...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 7 PM CDT SATURDAY FOR KSZ073-097-101.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 1, 4:12 AM CST, 1 hour 48 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SPRINGFIELD MO
512 AM CDT FRI JUL 1 2011

KSZ073-097-101-MOZ055>058-066>071-077>083-088>098-101>106-021015-
BOURBON-CRAWFORD-CHEROKEE-BENTON-MORGAN-MILLER-MARIES-VERNON-
ST. CLAIR-HICKORY-CAMDEN-PULASKI-PHELPS-BARTON-CEDAR-POLK-DALLAS-
LACLEDE-TEXAS-DENT-JASPER-DADE-GREENE-WEBSTER-WRIGHT-NEWTON-
LAWRENCE-CHRISTIAN-DOUGLAS-HOWELL-SHANNON-MCDONALD-BARRY-STONE-
TANEY-OZARK-OREGON-
512 AM CDT FRI JUL 1 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF THE MISSOURI
OZARKS AND EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER RISK LEVEL IS...ELEVATED.

 WEATHER HAZARDS EXPECTED...

ELEVATED EXTREME HEAT RISK.

DISCUSSION...

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA
TODAY. AIR TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON WILL PEAK IN THE MIDDLE TO
UPPER 90S...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES AROUND 105 DEGREES ACROSS
EXTREME SOUTHEAST KANSAS AND MUCH OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI. A HEAT
ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF
A LINE FROM BRANSON...TO HARTVILLE...TO VICHY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WILL PERSIST ACROSS THE OUTLOOK AREA THROUGH
SATURDAY. HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL WARM WELL INTO THE 90S...WITH
AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES RANGING BETWEEN 102 AND 107 DEGREES
EACH DAY. A HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF THE
OUTLOOK AREA.

ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS CAN NOT BE RULED
OUT ON SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY AS A WEAK FRONT STALLS ACROSS
SOUTHERN MISSOURI.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED THROUGH TONIGHT.

&&

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW AVAILABLE IN GRAPHICAL FORMAT...ALONG WITH
OTHER WEATHER...HYDROLOGICAL AND CLIMATE INFORMATION...AT
HTTP://WWW.CRH.NOAA.GOV/SGF(ALL LOWERCASE)

GRIFFIN

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, McDonald

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: McDonald forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.629, -94.348 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The southwestern district was especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 90% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were also reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a quarter of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop station at Anderson recorded 1.11 inches of rainfall during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Barry

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Barry forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.710, -93.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The southwestern district was especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 80% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were also reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. hay production has halted as grasses were dormant or burned from the lack of rainfall and heat. Less than an inch rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop station at Cassville recorded 0.60 inches of rainfall during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Newton

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Newton forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.906, -94.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant portions of the southwestern district were especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 80 to 90% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop stations at Seneca and Neosho recorded 0.65 and 1.34 inches of rainfall respectively, during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Ozark

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Ozark forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.649, -92.445 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The south central district was hard hit during the month of July with as much as up to 75% of crops in very poor condition. Some complete crop failures were also reported in portions of the county. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county which caused low stock water levels for live stock. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where between 25 and 50 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop stations at Wasola and Dora recorded 1.10 and 1.49 inches of rainfall respectively, during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Stone

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Stone forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.747, -93.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The south central district was hard hit during the month of July with as much as 75% of crops in very poor condition. Some complete crop failures were also reported in portions of south central Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a quarter of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of central and southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop station at Galena recorded 1.17 inches of rainfall during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Taney

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Taney forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.655, -93.041 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The south central district was hard hit during the month of July with as much as 75% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were also reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a quarter of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of central and southwest Missouri where between 25 and 50 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. The Coop station at Ozark Beach recorded 1.25 inches of rainfall during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Christian

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Christian forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 36.970, -93.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The south central district was hard hit during the month of July with as much as 75% of crops in very poor condition. Some complete crop failures were also reported in portions of south central Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a quarter of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of central and southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Jasper

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 37.204, -94.341 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant portions of the southwestern district were especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 80 to 90% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Barton

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Barton forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 37.502, -94.347 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant portions of the southwestern district were especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 80 to 90% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Lawrence

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lawrence forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 37.106, -93.833 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant portions of the southwestern district were especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 75% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Greene

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 37.258, -93.342 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Significant portions of the southwestern district were especially hard hit during the month of July with as much as 50% of crops in very poor condition. Complete crop failures were reported in portions of southwest Missouri. Burned up pastures forced livestock producers to feed hay as many were suffering from major grazing issues. Less than an inch and a half of rainfall occurred during the month for much of the county. In general, some of the most exceptionally dry areas were found in parts of southwest Missouri where around 25 percent of the normal rainfall fell during the month. This drought began in July and was ongoing through the month of September. The loss and damage estimates will be included in the August storm data section for the entire drought event.

Drought, Webster

When: July 1, 6:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Webster forecast zone
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 37.281, -92.876 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Missouri in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Missouri, July 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 334920, 334922, 334923, 334924, 334925, 334926, 338265, 338267, 338268, 338270, 338271, 338274.