Missouri’s drought alert expected to expire at the end of March

MISSOURINET – Missouri’s drought alert is expected to expire at the end of March.

That’s according to Missouri’s state climatologist, Zach Leasor, who says, despite that, Missouri is struggling to shake the past several years of drought.

He says the above average snowfall this winter recharged some soil moisture, but it has not completely fixed the deficit caused by previous drought.

“Southeastern Missouri definitely saturated there now, but a little bit of disagreement from the rest of the state.”

Leasor says a La Nina weather pattern this spring could mean more moisture for eastern Missouri, but the forecast for the summer growing season is unclear.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 48-percent of Missouri listed as “abnormally dry,” which is up nine-percent from a week ago.