Missouri ranks 21st in size among the 50 states. Its area of 69,709 squares miles includes 811 square miles of inland water. The state s distances at their maximum are 365 miles from east to west and 319 miles from north to south. The mean elevation is about 800 feet. The climate throughout Missouri is humid.
Summers are hot.
July temperatures over the state range between 76 and 80 . The average July day reaches a high of 90 or higher and a low of between 65 and 70 . Heat waves with temperatures above 100 are common. Hot weather lasts from June to September. Most of the state has a frost-free growing season from April into October.