Abundance of water cycling through the Mid-Missouri River Valley this season
Late spring and early summer is typically the wettest time of year in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. This season is certainly no exception, with above average monthly rainfall totals across the area in April, May, and now potentially June.
As of June 18, St. Joseph’s Rosecrans Memorial Airport has observed 3.45 inches of rain, meaning we are well on our way to meeting or exceeding the June average of 4.75 inches. Yearly precipitation is also running ahead of schedule by at least an inch or two, if not more, for much of the region.
When it comes to the water cycle, precipitation often gets the most attention. After all, water seemingly appears out of thin air, then literally falls from the sky. Rainwater continues the cycle by accumulating on earth’s surface, percolating through soils, and running off into waterways.
With plentiful precipitation in recent months, the runoff process has led to flooding at times along area streams, creeks, and rivers. Over the past few months, minor to moderate flooding has taken place at one point or another for most local rivers, including the Missouri, Platte, Grand, Thompson, Nodaway, Tarkio, and 102 rivers to name a few.
As of this week, floodwaters have receded, and vegetation is lush and green. Crops, plants, and trees are taking advantage of the extra moisture with rapid growth, while also releasing water back into the air through a process called transpiration. At the same time, surface water is also evaporating directly into the atmosphere.
While the past few days have been mainly dry across the Mid-Missouri River Valley, atmospheric moisture will soon revert from its gaseous state back to liquid through the condensation process. As tiny water droplets collect by the billions and manifest into clouds, rain chances will return this weekend, completing the loop once more
The supercharged water cycle will continue to run strong into late June here in the heartland, with near to above normal precipitation in the forecast according to the Climate Prediction Center’s extended outlooks.
