Springfield, Mo. – Above-normal heat and mostly dry conditions are set to grip Missouri through Thursday, raising concerns about expanding drought in parts of the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Springfield, temperatures across the Ozarks and central Missouri will push into the upper 70s and low 80s, with a 60 to 70 percent chance of staying above seasonal averages through September 18. Normal lows in the region will hold near 57 to 61 degrees, offering little overnight relief.
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield can expect limited rainfall, with precipitation chances trending below normal. The outlook calls for less than an inch of rain across the seven-day period, leaving crops, lawns, and reservoirs stressed. Highway crews and local emergency managers are monitoring conditions closely as soil continues to dry, which may increase fire risk in grassy areas.
Residents are urged to conserve water where possible, avoid outdoor burning, and prepare for continued warmth. Farmers across southern and western Missouri may face additional challenges if the dry pattern lingers into late September.
Weather models show the hot, dry trend holding steady through Thursday, with updates likely if drought conditions worsen.
