Missouri Climate Center

April 2020 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
Extension/State Climatologist
University of Missouri Extension

Cool temperatures were dominant across Missouri during April with preliminary data indicating a statewide average temperature of 53.1°F, nearly 2 degrees below the long-term average. It was the 6th cooler than average April in the past 20 years, Figure 1, and the first below normal month since November of last year, Figure 2. There were alternating periods of above and below average temperatures during the month but a majority of below average daily minimum temperatures combined with a much below normal cold spell from Apr 13-17 tipped the scale toward a colder than average month, Figure 3.

Preliminary data for April indicates near average precipitation with an annual statewide total of 3.98 inches, or 0.01 inches above the long-term average, Figure 4. Unusually wet conditions have impacted Missouri for over a year, Figure 5.

Regionally, heavier April precipitation totals were reported across southwest, south central and east central Missouri where 4-6 inches were common. Much of northern and west central Missouri received 2-4 inches, Figure 6. Table 1 identifies locations with the highest and lowest monthly totals.

Two unusual mid-April snow events impacted northern Missouri on April 16-17. The first event impacted far northeastern sections during the morning of the 16th. Accumulations were generally 1-4 inches and occurred mostly on elevated and grassy surfaces. Weather observers in Schuyler, Adair and Knox Counties reported 4-inches with 1-inch reported in nearby Scotland County, Figures 7 and 8. The next snow event occurred the following day and impacted much of northern Missouri with 3-10 inches and heaviest amounts reported on the Missouri-Iowa border, Figures 9-12.

According to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service, for the week ending April 26, corn planting was 25% complete, 21 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Stock water supplies were reported mostly adequate at 94% with 84% of the hay supplies and other roughages adequate and 9% surplus. The majority of pastures, 59%, were in good condition and 29% in fair condition. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were mostly adequate (72%) to surplus (27%) statewide. Subsoil moisture supplies were mostly adequate (76%) to surplus (23%).

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