Dry conditions continue to intensify across Missouri, especially the southern half of the state, according to the June 30 U.S. Drought Monitor map.
"June was overall a hotter than average month for Missouri, averaging about 2 degrees above normal," said Pat Guinan, University of Missouri Extension state climatologist.
Parts of central and southern Missouri have received less than half an inch of rain since early June, according to Guinan, who said impacts are notable with brown lawns and stressed crops, gardens and pastures.
"Pond levels are also dropping with little rainfall and high evaporation rates," Guinan said. "Without significant and widespread rainfalls, conditions will continue to quickly deteriorate, especially with extreme heat forecast to return."
Residents are being invited to submit information to help local, state and national decision-makers assess drought conditions and impacts in Missouri.
Information about conditions can be sent to a national survey called Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR). Go to go.unl.edu/CMOR_drought to submit a report.
A related resource is the U.S. Drought Monitor (droughtmonitor.unl.edu), a weekly map showing the location and intensity of drought in the U.S. The map is primarily based on measurements such as climatic, hydrologic and soil conditions.
Contributors can upload image files less than 10 megabytes in size.
"Pictures are extremely helpful," Guinan said. "When it comes to assessing drought at the local level, a picture is worth a thousand words."