Drought conditions saw improvement across portions of the southwest Missouri Ozarks during the month. While drought conditions remained, the 3 southwestern Missouri counties that began the month in Severe Drought (D2) had improved to Moderate (D1) drought or Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions or better. The primary impacts of the drought continued to occurred in the agricultural communities. Hay growth was impacted along with reports of crop failures, dry stock ponds, very low soil moisture and low flows on some streams and rivers.

Drought in JASPER, MISSOURI
From 01-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 6.70M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall through the month allowed for improvement across the county though Moderate (D1) Drought conditions continued across the region through the end of February. The US Drought Monitor indicated only the northwestern corner of the county remained in Moderate (D1) Drought with the rest of the county having improved to either Abnormally (D0) dry or no drought. Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture with farm and stock ponds low but improved. Dry conditions caused grasses to dry and significantly impact hay production causing losses in hay cutting. Many farmers saw impacts to row crops such as soy beans, corn and other specialty crops. Crop loss estimates notated in this month encompass losses from initial drought development in 2022.

Drought in VERNON, MISSOURI
From 01-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 01-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 12.30M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall through the month allowed for improvement across the county though Moderate (D1) Drought conditions continued across the region through the end of February. The US Drought Monitor indicated only the southwestern third of the county  remained in Moderate (D1) Drought with the rest of the county having improved to either Abnormally (D0) dry or no drought.  Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture with farm and stock ponds low but improved. Dry conditions caused grasses to dry and significantly impact hay production causing losses in hay cutting. Many farmers saw impacts to row crops such as soy beans, corn and other specialty crops. Crop loss estimates notated in this month encompass losses from initial drought development in 2022.

Drought in BARTON, MISSOURI
From 01-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 14.90M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall through the month allowed for improvement across the county though Moderate (D1) Drought conditions continued across the region through the end of February. The US Drought Monitor indicated that most of the county remained in Moderate (D1) Drought with the rest of the county having improved to Abnormally (D0) dry conditions. Impacts across the region were primarily felt in larger scale agriculture with farm and stock ponds low but improved. Dry conditions caused grasses to dry and significantly impact hay production causing losses in hay cutting. Many farmers saw impacts to row crops such as soy beans, corn and other specialty crops. Crop loss estimates notated in this month encompass losses from initial drought development in 2022.