Drought Areas Remain Steady, Other Areas Still in Extreme Conditions

While the drought levels in the Lakes Region remain mostly level from last week, nearby areas still are in an extreme situation.

According to the latest map released from the U.S. Drought Monitor, all of Barton and Jasper and portions of Newton Counties in western Missouri remain at the Extreme Drought Level as water levels remain low though conditions have moderated somewhat in the surrounding areas due to recent rainfall. The extreme area includes most of the Joplin metro area. 

In the Lakes Region, most areas remain steady from last week with Abnormally Dry Levels in most of the Missouri Lakes Region with some area of the Arkansas Lakes Region still at a Moderate Drought Level. 

This week's map was released prior to rainfall that fell in the Lakes Region on Thanksgiving Day.