The Climate of Missouri

According to Abbreviation Finder, Missouri (MO) is a state of the United States and is centrally located in this large country. In the year 1821, Missouri became the 24th state of the US. The Missouri landscape is best described as hilly, with some low plains where only slight slopes occur. Missouri lies within the transition zone of the warm maritime climate (type Cfa according to the Köppen climate classification) and the slightly more fickle warm continental climate (type Dfa). Extreme weather events are possible in Missouri, because the state is barely protected by mountains and both cold fronts from the north and warm air from the Gulf of Mexico can affect the weather in Missouri.

Winter in Missouri

The winter months can show mild days, but moderate to severe night frost is certainly possible under the supply of cold polar air from a northern current. During such periods, which can occur especially in the months of December, January and February, the mercury can also remain below freezing during the day. On average, Missouri receives 10 to 15 inches of snow per year. This falls during about 7 to 10 days. Some winters, however, have almost no snow, while the occasional winter with heavy snowfall.

Summer in Missouri

The summer months are again very warm. Temperatures of around or even slightly above thirty degrees are more the rule than the exception in the months of June, July and August. Even in the autumn month of September it can still regularly get tropical warm. Missouri is located in Tornado Alley, a large area in America where tornadoes can form. These whirlwinds can be very destructive, such as the EF-5 category multiple-vortex tornado that terrorized the city of Joplin on Sunday, May 22, 2011. It destroyed about a third of Joplin and killed 161 people, making it the deadliest tornado since the year 1947.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

The climate of Cape Girardeau

Cape Girardeau is a small town in southeastern Missouri in Cape Girardeau County. Cape Girardeau is located on the Mississippi, which forms the border with Illinios. Kentucky is also not far from here. The city was founded in the 18th century and eventually grew because of its location on the Mississippi, between the places Saint Louis and Memphis. Today, the local university and hospital are the city’s largest employers.

Cape Girardeau has a warm continental climate, which is influenced by the warm maritime climate. Due to this influence, the temperatures during the winter months are slightly higher than you would expect. The nights are still quite cold during the winter months, with temperatures a few degrees below freezing. The summer months are warm and can regularly be called hot. This, in combination with the high rainfall, means that the average humidity in Cape Girardeau is on the high side during the summer months. Cape Girardeau is located on Tornado Alley, so during tornado season you have a small chance of being hit by a tornado here.

The climate of Colombia

According to Countryaah, Columbia is a large city in the central part of the state of Missouri, not far from the Missouri River. The city itself is located on several branches of this river. Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, Columbia College, and Stephens College. The city has its own airport and has a harbor on the Missouri at the neighboring village of Port of Rocheport.

Columbia has a warm continental climate, with a clear separation between the different seasons. The winter months in Columbia are quite cold and there are months when the mercury barely rises above freezing. The summer months, on the other hand, are quite warm and sometimes even hot, with averages above 30 degrees Celsius. These are almost tropical temperatures. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year and peaks during the spring months.

The climate of Jefferson City

Jefferson City is the capital of the US state of Missouri, a state in the central part of the US that is counted among the southern states in mentality. Jefferson City is not the largest city in Missouri, St. Louis and Kansas City are. Located in the center of the state, Jefferson City is named after former US President Thomas Jefferson. Wine is grown on the banks of the Missouri, where Jefferson City is located. This is possible thanks to the warm to very warm summers, in which the sun shines exuberantly.

Jefferson City has a warm continental climate, where the generally still fairly mild winters can have very rough edges. When there is a strong northerly current in the winter, very cold Arctic air is often transported to Jefferson City. This then leads to moderate to severe frost, sometimes snow and often a very cold wind during the day at low temperatures. A fairly short spring is followed by a summer of four months in which it is warm and sunny and the amount of precipitation gradually decreases.

The climate of Joplin

Joplin is a medium-sized city in southwestern Missouri. Joplin is not far from Kansas and Oklahoma. The city is named after Scott Joplin, an American pianist and ragtime composer, who composed “The Entertainer” among others. The famous route 66 runs through the city, bringing many travelers through the city. Joplin was badly hit by a tornado on May 22, 2011. 161 people died in Joplin during this tornado.

Joplin has a warm continental climate, with some influences from the warm maritime climate. Due to this influence, temperatures during the winter months are slightly higher than in the more northerly places in Missouri. Due to the southern location of Joplin, the temperature during the summer months is also slightly higher than you would expect. These higher temperatures, together with the high rainfall, ensure high humidity during the summer months. Because the city is located in Tornado Alley, you should be aware of tornadoes here at all times during tornado season.

The climate of Kansas City

Kansas City is located in western Missouri, opposite Kansas City in Kansas. Kansas City is located on the Missouri. So-called gambling boats are allowed to sail on this river, a kind of floating casinos. The Kansas City Chiefs is the local American football team and plays in the NFL. The Kansas City Royals play in Major League Baseball. About half a million people live in the city. More than two million live in the metropolitan area, of which more than 250,000 are originally from Ireland. You will also find the Irish Museum and Cultural Center here. During Saint Patricksday, the streets here will be colored green.

Kansas City has a warm continental climate, with relatively mild winters and hot summers. The winter months can be fairly mild, but you should not rule out severe frost here either. The summer months are particularly warm, with considerable precipitation. This combination ensures high humidity. During the spring, the sun shines the most on average.

The climate of Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a large city in the far east of the US state of Missouri, on the Mississippi River. Nearly three million people live in the metropolitan area of ​​the city. In 1904, the Olympic Games were hosted here, at the same time as the World Exhibition. The Netherlands had not sent any athletes to Saint Louis because of the high costs. The St. Louis Cardinals are the local Major League Baseball team. The St. Louis Rams is the American football team that plays in the National Football League. The St. Louis Blues play in the National Hockey League. These three teams ensure that Saint Louis is on the map from a sporting point of view.

Saint Louis has a warm continental climate, with hot summers and sometimes icy winters. The nights during the winter period are especially cold. Precipitation figures are approximately the same throughout the year. This precipitation ensures high humidity in Saint Louis during the summer months. Because the city is located in Tornado Alley, you have to take tornadoes into account here.

The climate of Springfield

Springfield is one of the larger cities in the state of Missouri. Nearly half a million people live in the metropolitan area of ​​the city. The city is located on the famous route 66 and it is claimed that the inhabitants of the city are responsible for the naming of this route. The city is located nearly 400 meters above sea level, on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozarks. Springfield is also known for the gunfight between Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt. This gunfight has been the model for many Hollywood westerns.

Springfield has a warm continental climate, with a clear difference between the seasons. The summer months are pleasantly warm and sometimes even tropical hot. Precipitation is generous throughout the year, resulting in high humidity in the summer. During the winter months, the precipitation can come down as sleet or snow. Springfield is located in the so-called Tornado Alley, so tornadoes can occur here.