April 2000 was the driest on record in the state of Missouri, according to the Midwestern Climate Center.  The lowest rainfall totals occurred in parts of west-central Missouri, where WFO Pleasant Hill received 0.30 inches of precipitation, and Sweet Springs picked up only 0.47 inches.  At Kansas City International Airport, 0.65 inches of rain fell during the month, making it the driest April recorded in Kansas City.  April's dry weather represented a continuation of long-term drought dating back to July 1999, as rainfall deficits in most locations exceeded 10 inches and the U.S. Drought Monitor showed most of northern and western Missouri in a severe drought.  According to the Missouri State Climatologist, 1999-2000 was the 5th driest July-through-April period on record.  The areas hardest hit by the long-term drought were along Missouri's northern border, where rainfall deficits had reached 15 to 20 inches. The city reservoir in Milan had dropped 8 feet, forcing the city to lay piping to access a backup water source.  In Gentry County, a lake that serves two cities and other rural water systems had dropped more than 5.5 feet.  Water supplies were also short in King City, Eagleville, and Bethany.  In Gentry, Harrison, Linn, Nodaway, and Worth Counties, thousands of reserved acres were released for grazing under the federal Conservation Reserve Program.

Drought in HARRISON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in PUTNAM, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in BUCHANAN, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in RAY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CARROLL, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CHARITON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in DE KALB, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in GENTRY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in HOWARD, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SCHUYLER, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CLINTON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in MACON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in RANDOLPH, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in WORTH, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in MERCER, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in GRUNDY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in DAVIESS, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HENRY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in ADAIR, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NODAWAY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CASS, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SULLIVAN, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Drought in BATES, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SALINE, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOLT, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in ANDREW, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CALDWELL, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in PETTIS, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in ATCHISON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in COOPER, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in LIVINGSTON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in LINN, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CLAY, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in PLATTE, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAFAYETTE, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 01-APR-00 00:00:00 to 30-APR-00 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY