Weekend showers in the Ozarks brought much-needed rain to parts of the region and means normal levels for the month are nearly back on track.
Drew Albert is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Springfield. He says the city has received about 4.5 inches of rain this month, just short of the 5-inch average in May. Albert notes, however, there’s still a shortage when compared to January 1.
“Running between 6.5 and 7 inches below normal. Fortunately this May rain has kind of helped us green up a little bit,” says Albert.
While other areas of the country, particularly in the south, are experiencing flooding, Albert says recent rains locally have mostly been beneficial.
“In that they have come at just the right time for hay production and that kind of thing.”
He also warns that with continuous rains forecast for later this week, potential flooding is possible in or near West Plains, Rolla and other areas of south central Missouri.
“It’s been kind of hit and miss, but in general Springfield can take some [rain] but some surrounding areas are quite wet and it wouldn’t a lot of rain to see some flooding.”