By Linda Geist
Missouri farmers faced another challenging weather year in 2025, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Zachary Leasor.
It was a year of extremes, with bitter cold temperatures, record-breaking rainfalls and flash drought during critical parts of the growing season, says Leasor.
The year opened with the coldest January in more than a decade. Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the statewide average temperature during January and February was lower than the long-term (1895 – 2025) average, marking it the state’s coldest winter since 2020-21.
Snows and lows
Nearly all of Missouri, except the northern tier of counties, received more snow than average in January and February. Many of the highest seasonal snowfall totals of 20-plus inches centered around I-70 corridor and the metro areas.
Two blasts of cold air dropped temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees Fahrenheit (Gentry County) in January and minus 22 F (Clay County) in February. Drier conditions continued into March, but temperatures flipped quickly. March was 7.5 F warmer than average and finished tied as the state’s eighth warmest March on record.
Source : missouri.edu