Drought continues as forecast shows no relief in sight

Extreme drought continues to spread across the Missouri Ozarks, and a hurricane approaching the Gulf Coast is unlikely to provide much-needed rainfall.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows large portions of southwest Missouri experiencing D3 extreme drought, the second-highest classification on the five-level drought intensity scale.

Recent rainfall has done little to reverse the prolonged dry conditions. Vegetation and agricultural land are becoming increasingly dry, raising concerns about crop damage and the potential for fires.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Isaias is forecast to move inland from the Gulf Coast before tracking northeast toward the Ohio River Valley this weekend.

The storm could produce additional clouds across eastern portions of Missouri, but southwest Missouri is expected to miss most, if not all, of its rainfall.