Missouri is locked in what could be the 6th hottest July on record, and some parts of the state are now in drought condition. That’s according to state climatologist Pat Guinan, Assistant Professor of Climatology with the University of Missouri Extension.
He says average highs in the last three weeks have been in the lower 90s with lows in the 70s. On the month, the average is in the lower 80s putting it just behind 1980, the 5th hottest Missouri July.
Guinan notes the dewpoint has been well into the 70s much of the month, taking the heat from uncomfortable to dangerous.
He says data from the Drought Mitigation Center show parts of southwestern and south central Missouri in drought condition, but much of the state is relatively dry.
Predictions from the National Climate Center for the next couple of weeks include below-normal precipitation in southwestern Missouri, with even chances for above or below normal rain in the rest of the state. Temperatures are predicted to remain above normal in the southwestern half of the state into August, while Guinan calls the prediction in northeast Missouri less decisive.