Winter storms help to relieve drought

Ice has slowly crept down the roof of Truman Elementary, and by Monday it had formed an unusual, frozen cascade along the edge of the structure. Light snow is predicted for today, with flurries possible throughout the rest of the week.

Nevada Daily Mail

Yet another round of snow is expected in Nevada today, but accumulation should be light, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS is forecasting a total of up to two inches of accumulation from this event through tonight, but flurries on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are not expected.

Local livestock owners are hoping that the snow cover won't be heavy.

Producers have had to rely heavily on hay, which is in short supply throughout southwestern Missouri, while forage has been covered with a thick plastering of ice and snow from storms that occured two weeks in a row. The ice from those past storms is not yet completely thawed, and more snow cover could intensify the need for hay.

But the good news is that University of Missouri climatologist Pat Guinan said in December that the heavy storm of Dec. 1 made a dent in the drought. Since then, more rain, snow and sleet has brought much-needed moisture to the area.

A Jan. 23 USDA drought monitor said the conditions had improved to "abnormally dry" in most of Vernon County -- including the Nevada area -- an improvement from December when portions of the area still were in moderate drought conditions.

A separate map indicated that portions of Vernon County may have emerged from the drought into normal conditions.