July 2021 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
State Climatologist
University of Missouri Extension

Seasonably cool temperatures impacted Missouri in July with preliminary data indicating a statewide average temperature of 76.5°F, or 1.2° below the long-term average, Figure 1. It was the fourth cooler than average month for the year, Figure 2. Daily maximum temperatures for July were mostly below average, generally climbing into the 80s. There was a period of hotter weather during the last week of the month when temperatures reached into the 90's, Figure 3. With one exception, there was no triple digit reported statewide during the entire month. A cooperative observer located 2 miles west of Cosby, MO, in Andrew County, reported a high temperature of 100°F on July 30th.

Minimum temperatures were mostly in the 60's with some 70's reported toward the end of the month. There were more above average minimum temperature days than maximum temperature days due, in part, to above average dew point temperature. High dew points elevate minimum air temperatures while suppressing maximum temperatures. The high July dew points this year followed the trend Missouri has experienced over the past few decades, Figure 4.

Preliminary data indicate the statewide average rainfall total was 5.12 inches, or 1.41 inches above the long-term average, Figure 5. There have been five consecutive months with above average precipitation, Figure 6.

According to radar-estimated rainfall, Figure 7, heaviest rainfall occurred over portions of northeastern and southeastern Missouri where 5-8 inches were common. A few areas reported more than 10-inches for the month. Driest conditions were across parts of northwestern and west central Missouri and a few isolated pockets in southern sections. Some of the heaviest and lightest rain gauge reports for July are listed in Table 1.

Missouri highest and lowest rain gauge reports* for July 2021
Location County Total (in.)
Palmyra 4.5NNW Marion 12.47
Steffenville Lewis 11.88
Milan 1.2SW Sullivan 11.10
Lebanon 2W Laclede 11.10
Ste. Genevieve 11.1SSW Ste. Genevieve 10.28
Plattsburg 0.6W Clinton 1.44
Cameron DeKalb 1.50
Gower 2.7S Clinton 1.50
St. Joseph 4.4E Buchanan 1.58
Cosby 2W Andrew 1.66
*Rain gauges are from the NWS cooperative network and CoCoRaHS.
Table 1.

According to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending July 25, 2021, 10% of the state reported topsoil moisture supplies in short to very short condition with 84% of the state reporting topsoil moisture in adequate condition. Statewide subsoil condition was reported 5% short to very short, and 89% adequate. Corn, soybean and pasture conditions were reported at 8%, 9%, and 3% in poor to very poor condition, respectively. The majority of corn and soybean were reported in good to excellent condition at 66% and 61%, respectively. The majority of pasture was in good to excellent condition at 75%. The majority of hay and other roughages were adequate to surplus (93%), as well as stock water supplies (97%).

All of Missouri was "drought-free", according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, released on July 29, 2021, Figure 8. There was a small area of abnormally dry conditions reported in southeastern Missouri, impacting some southeastern Ozarks counties.


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Missouri Average July Temperature 1895-2021

Figure 1.



Missouri Monthly Temperature Departure from Average* January-July 2021*

Figure 2.



Columbia, MO, July Daily Max/Min Temperature Normal vs 2021

Figure 3.



Average July Dew Point Temperature (°F) Columbia, Missouri 1920-2021*

Figure 4.



Missouri Average July Precipitation 1895-2021

Figure 5.



Missouri Monthly Precip. Departure from Average* January-July 2021**

Figure 6.



Radar-estimated July 2021 rainfall (in.)

Figure 7.



U.S. Drought Monitor - Missouri - July 2021

Figure 8.



Accumulated Precipitation (in) July 01, 2021 to July 31, 2021



Accumulated Precipitation (in): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals July 01, 2021 to July 31, 2021



Average Temperature (°F) July 01, 2021 to July 31, 2021



Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals July 01, 2021 to July 31, 2021




Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908