Scattered Showers Help Some, Most Area Still Dry

An interesting look to the latest map released Thursday from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

While the area is experiencing the hottest conditions of the year, recent scattered showers have helped areas from Branson to the northwest to register no drought level. The areas specifically are northwestern Taney and northeastern Stone Counties. 

For the rest of the region, the area remains at the lowest drought level, Abnormally Dry. 

While conditions are low, forecasters are not expecting much rain in the lakes region for the next week, which could quickly raise the drought levels if conditions persist. 

Water levels do remain low at most area creeks and rivers and are also low on most area Lakes, though the scattered showers have lifted levels up temporarily over the last two weeks. 

The current Heat Alerts for the Lakes Region are in effect through the weekend with only pop-up showers possible according to the National Weather Service.