Two storm systems with minimal precipitation have only resulted in increasing drought conditions for several area counties.

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday morning by the National Drought Mitigation Center, indicates moderate drought entering the eastern fourth of Saline County, along with nearly all of Howard County, the northern edge of Cooper County, and the eastern half of Chariton County. Drought conditions have also spread from most of Benton County into southern Morgan and Moniteau counties, while also covering Macon and Randolph counties. Abnormal dryness covers the remainder of the listening area, stretching west into all of Carroll, Johnson and Lafayette counties.

Statewide, 19.41 percent of Missouri is in moderate or severe drought, nearly double where it was a week ago. Another 42.57 percent of the state is in abnormal dryness. Just 38.03 percent of Missouri has normal or excess moisture.

Because of continued dry conditions, the Pettis County Fire Protection District and Pettis County Sheriff’s Office reiterated over the weekend that the county’s burn ban remains in place until further notice. As part of the ban, the City of Sedalia reminds residents that no open burning or recreational fire pits are allowed until the ban is lifted.

(UPDATE @ 11:40 a.m., March 24, 2025) Pettis County has lifted their burn ban as of March 24, 2025.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.