Summer 2024 hasn’t turned into a major scorcher, yet. Numerous rounds of rain and thunderstorms have helped keep high temperatures in Missouri at bay, for the most part. But that will likely change, according to State Climatologist Zach Leasor.
“If we look at some of the official seasonal outlooks for late summer from the Climate Prediction Center, really across the entire U.S., we’re expected to see above average temperatures,” Leasor told Missourinet.
He also said that Missouri is on pace to have a warmer-than-average year, overall.
“We had really just a couple weeks of cold in January, but since then, all months February through May have been above average,” Leasor said. “While we haven’t finalized the data for June, we are expecting to see that go down into the books as roughly two or three degrees above average.”
With that said, Leasor expects 2024 to be the third-warmest year on record. As for all the rain we’ve been getting, he suggests the outlook for precipitation is more of a mixed bag.
“I can’t say with 100% certainty, but at this point, if we were to continue on with a very similar pattern to what we would see, I think the drought alert will expire on September 1st,” Leasor said. “Now things could change if we have a really warm and dry August, for example.”
Missouri’s drought assessment committee is scheduled to meet in Jefferson City on July 19th to review the current drought situation.
Copyright © 2024 · Missourinet
