August 2022 Weather and Its Impacts on Missouri

Pat Guinan
State Climatologist
University of Missouri Extension

Slightly above average daily August temperatures impacted Missouri with preliminary data indicating a statewide average temperature of 76.4°F, or 0.4° above the long-term average, Figure 1. Hottest conditions occurred during the first and last week of the month with more seasonable, and below average temperatures, during the middle portions of August, Figure 2. August was the second hottest month for the Jun-Jul-Aug summer period and it was the fifth warmer than average month for the year, Figure 3.

Preliminary mean summer temperature data (Jun-Jul-Aug) indicate above normal conditions this year, Figure 4. The statewide average summer temperature was 77.1°F, 1.6° above the long-term average. Summer weather patterns over the past several decades indicate little change in maximum temperature trends, Figure 5, whereas minimum summer temperatures have been warming, Figure 6. This phenomenon is primarily due to above average summer dew point temperatures in Missouri, Figure 7, which act to suppress maximum air temperature and elevate minimum air temperature.

Slightly above average rainfall impacted Missouri in August with preliminary data indicating a statewide average of 3.89 inches, 0.18 inches below the long-term average. It was the sixth above average month for the year, Figure 9.

Typical of the summer season, August rainfall was highly variable, ranging from less than 1-inch to nearly 11-inches, according to rain gauge observations. The northern half of the state received below average rainfall while wetter conditions emerged across much of the southern half of Missouri. Some of the lightest and heaviest August rain gauge reports are listed in Table 1.

The U.S. Drought Monitor map, for the week of August 30, 2022, indicated areas of moderate to extreme drought impacting parts of southwestern, west central, central and northeastern Missouri, Figure 10. There were 45 Condition Monitoring Observer Reports submitted in August according to the National Drought Mitigation Center, mostly agriculture related, with reports of crop, pasture and livestock stress.

According to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending August 28, 2022, 48% of the state reported topsoil moisture supplies in adequate condition with 0% surplus, whereas 37% of Missouri reported short topsoil moisture supply and 15% very short. Subsoil moisture supplies were reported 51% adequate and 0% in surplus condition compared to 35% of the state reporting subsoil moisture supplies short and 14% very short. Corn was reported 52% in good to excellent condition compared to 63% last year. Soybean was reported 54% in good to excellent condition compared to 59% last year. Pastures were rated at 32% in good to excellent condition compared to 60% last year. Hay and other roughages were 66% adequate to surplus compared to 91% last year. Stock water supplies were 72% adequate and 34% short to very short.

Missouri High and Low Rainfall Extremes for August 2022*
	Station Name*	County	Rainfall (in.)
Heaviest	Springfield 1.0 SSE	Greene	10.96
	Fenton 4.1 S	Jefferson	10.25
	Salem	Dent	9.86
	Neosho 3.9 WNW	Newton	9.67
	St. Clair3.7 W	Franklin	9.00
Lightest	Monticello 0.4 SSW	Lewis	0.22
	Kahoka 0.6 S	Clark	0.55
	Clarence Cannon Dam	Ralls	0.66
	Monroe City	Monroe	0.74
	Memphis 0.1 S	Scotland	0.83
*Rain gauges are from the NWS Cooperative Network or CoCoRaHS Observers.
Table 1.

---

Jump to:

• Figure 1
• Figure 2
• Figure 3
• Figure 4
• Figure 5
• Figure 6
• Figure 7
• Figure 8
• Figure 9
• Figure 10
• Figure 11
• Figure 12
• Figure 13
• Figure 14

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Figure 6.

Figure 7.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Figure 10.

---

Source: Pat Guinan, 573-882-5908