July 2016 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
State Climatologist
University of Missouri Extension

Dryness concerns all but evaporated during July with a much wetter regime impacting the Show Me State. Several widespread significant rain events fell over Missouri with preliminary data indicating a statewide average total of 6.80 inches, nearly 3 inches above normal, Figure 1, and ranking as the 8th wettest July on record. The month was slightly wetter than July 2010, Figure 2. The wetter conditions brought much needed relief to drought-stressed vegetation that was occurring at the end of June, Figure 3.

Most locations received 5 or more inches during July with radar estimates reporting 10 or more inches in several counties, mostly in central Missouri, Figure 4. Rain gauge observations in Table 1 show some of the heaviest county totals around the state.

Station Name*	County	July 2016 Precip (in.)
Brumley 5.6SW	Camden	17.04
Lupus 0.1NE	Moniteau	15.84
Phillipsburg 5.0NW	Laclede	14.56
Columbia 6.6SW	Boone	13.91
Excelsior Springs 4S	Clay	13.67
Marshfield	Webster	13.47
Anderson 6.8W	McDonald	12.90
Concordia	Lafayette	12.72
Richland 3.6NNE	Pulaski	11.88
Clarence Cannon Dam	Ralls	11.87
Marble Hill	Bollinger	11.55
*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network or CoCoRaHS
Table 1.

The most notable heavy rain event occurred over 4th of July weekend when a line of training thunderstorms developed early in the evening of July 2nd and dropped 4-9 inches of rain, generally along I-70, from east of Kansas City to Columbia. Some of the heaviest 24-hour totals include NWS Cooperative reports in Concordia (Lafayette co.) and Sweet Springs (Saline co.), with 9.42 and 9.29 inches, respectively. Heaviest CoCoRaHS reports came from Nelson (Saline co.), Higginsville (Lafayette co.) and Columbia (Boone co.), with 7.78, 7.72 and 6.63 inches, respectively. Flash flooding was reported, but it was mitigated by abnormally dry conditions that existed prior to the event. Surface and groundwater supplies were notably recharged after the event.

Even though most locations reported abundant rainfall during July, there were a few dry pockets around the state, most notably in a few northwestern, north central and southwestern counties, and the southern tip of the Bootheel. Table 2 shows counties reporting less than 3-inches for the month.

Station Name*	County	July 2016 Precip (in.)
Kirksville Airport	Adair	2.22
Unionville	Putnam	2.34
Kennett 0.8N	Dunklin	2.35
Joplin 4.2SW	Jasper	2.65
Green City	Sullivan	2.69
Savannah 0.6NNE	Andrew	2.70
Trenton 1.2N	Grundy	2.71
Greenfield 0.8SSW	Dade	2.93
Caruthersville	Pemiscot	2.97
*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network or CoCoRaHS
Table 2.

July temperatures were slightly warmer than normal, but conditions were uncomfortable during the month due to summer heat and high humidity. The statewide average temperature for the month was 78.1°F, or 0.5° above normal, Figure 6. The slightly warmer than normal weather continued the overall trend of above average monthly temperatures, Figure 7.

The wet conditions contributed toward higher summer dew points, similar to several high heat index days experienced in 2010 and 2011. Columbia's average dew point temperature for the month was 70.9°F, and ranked as the 4th highest on record, Figure 8.

The wetter July conditions benefited agriculture. According to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service, 81% of the state reported topsoil moisture supplies in adequate to surplus condition by the end of the month. Corn, soybean and pasture conditions were looking promising with 76%, 70%, and 58% in good to excellent condition, respectively. More than 90% of hay and stock water supplies were also adequate to surplus.

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Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908