Columbia, Missouri – Columbia is on pace to finish August as one of its driest months in more than a century, with only 0.07 inches of rain recorded through August 25. That total ties August 2025 for the third-driest month ever documented since weather records began in 1890.
According to the National Weather Service in St. Louis, Columbia has experienced just two drier months in 1,628 total months of recorded data. The driest was January 1986, with only 0.05 inches of precipitation. While there’s a slight 20-30% chance of light rain Thursday, forecasters say it’s unlikely any additional measurable rain will fall before the end of the month.
The dry stretch is already having a noticeable impact across Boone County and surrounding central Missouri, with drying lawns, declining soil moisture, and stressed vegetation. Outdoor burn bans remain possible if dry conditions persist into September. Residents are encouraged to conserve water where possible and monitor local fire warnings.
If no further rain is recorded by August 31, this month will officially rank tied for the third driest in Columbia’s 135-year weather history.
