July 2015 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
State Climatologist
Commercial Agriculture/University of Missouri Extension

Wet conditions impacted all of Missouri during July in what has become an exceptionally wet growing season for the state, Figure 1. Preliminary rainfall data indicate a statewide monthly average of 7.84 inches, which ranks as the 4th wettest July on record, and the wettest July since 1993, Figure 2.

Most locations received 5 or more inches during July with some counties over northern, central and southern Missouri reporting more than 10 inches, Figure 3. Table 1 shows some of the heaviest reports around the state. Some locations observing the lowest monthly totals include Arnold 1N (3.59"), Steelville 5.6SW (3.80"), Kennett 0.8N (3.89"), and Des Peres 1.0NNE (4.01").

Since May 1, a persistent wet weather pattern locked itself over Missouri resulting in one of the wettest May through July periods on record, Figures 4 and 5. Preliminary data indicate this year to be the 2nd wettest May-July on record (22.41", +9.17", 169% of normal), just shy of the record 22.55 inches in 1981. The established wet weather pattern translated to an above average number of days with measureable rainfall over the past 3 months, Table 2.

July temperatures were seasonable this year, but conditions were uncomfortable during the month due to summer heat and high humidity. The antecedent wet conditions contributed toward higher summer dew points, similar to several high heat index days experienced in 2010 and 2011. The statewide average temperature for the month was 77.5°F, or -0.1° below normal, Figure 6. The slightly cooler than normal weather broke a 4-month string of above average warmth this year, Figure 7.

The persistent wet growing season posed major challenges for farmers this year including planting crops, cutting hay, flooded fields, nutrient loss, diseases and other factors. Other impacts include delayed construction and transportation projects, water in basements, flash flooding, prolonged waterlogged vegetation, etc. The last time we've seen an entire growing season with no drought stress for any part of Missouri was 2009.

Additionally, the wet period this spring and summer has resulted in prolonged high water levels in lakes, rivers and streams. These conditions have sadly contributed to more drowning deaths than usual. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported 34 drownings this year, while 25 were reported in all of 2014. Most of the fatalities have been attributed to flooding.

According to the Climate Prediction Center, temperature and precipitation outlooks for August indicate below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall for Missouri.

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Jump to:

• Figure 1
• Figure 2
• Figure 3
• Table 1
• Figure 4
• Figure 5
• Table 2
• Figure 6
• Figure 7
• Figure 8
• Figure 9
• Figure 10
• Figure 11

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Station Name*	County	July 2015 Precip (in)
Princeton 1.4NNE	Mercer	15.37
Houston 4.5ESE	Texas	15.02
Conception Junction 0.3SE	Nodaway	14.86
Cassville 4.8SSE	Barry	14.69
Parnell 3.3ESE	Worth	14.59
Ozark 1.6SE	Christian	14.51
Hartville 0.8WSW	Wright	14.48
Ava 6.0NW	Douglas	14.36
Maryville 4.0ESE	Nodaway	14.36
Stanberry 4.4NNE	Gentry	14.33
*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network or CoCoRaHS
Table 1.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Number of days with precipitation ≥ 0.01 inches
	May 2015	May Normal*	June 2015	June Normal*	July 2015	July Normal*	May-July 2015	May-July Normal*
Kansas City	21	12	14	11	13	9	48	32
Columbia	16	13	17	10	9	9	42	32
St. Louis	14	12	17	10	10	9	41	31
Springfield	18	12	10	11	11	8	40	31
*Normal: 1981-2010
Table 2.

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

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Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908