|
Very heavy rains fell on the last two days of the month, resulting in a wet August 2003 rank (16th wettest) for the state. However, much of the last two months (July-August) was extremely dry. July 2003 ranked as the 24th driest July in the 109-year record, and much of the state had less than 25% of normal rainfall for July 30-August 28. Soil moisture conditions in the top 12 inches and top 6 feet were extremely dry in northern Missouri prior to the heavy August 30-31 rains. Moisture conditions (top 12 inches and top 6 feet) improved dramatically by the end of the month, but the rain did little to help the ravaged crops. Satellite observations of August surface wetness and end-of-month vegetative health showed overall dry, stressed conditions. August 31 USDA reports indicated 75% of the state's pasture and range land was in "poor" to "very poor" condition.
According to University of Missouri specialists, "the recent rain event arrived too late. The drought of 2003 has continued for too long and the ability of soybean plants to conserve moisture and produce more flowers has been exhausted. Severe yield reductions are likely in many fields, especially in west central and northwestern Missouri" (Pat Guinan, 9/5).
The northwest part of the state was hardest hit by the drought, with many counties in a phase 3 drought conservation status as of mid-August.
|
NCDC /
Clim. Monitoring /
Climate-2003 /
Aug /
U.S. Regional Drought /
Search /
Help
