Missouri Weather and Geography

Whether you are thinking about bringing a project to Missouri, or you have already decided to, but don’t know when to film, it’s important to be aware of the weather and geography of the state before you get started!

When it comes to beautiful landscapes, Missouri has a lot to offer! The Ozarks stretch up into the Southern half of the state, with lush forests and beautiful mountains. In northern Missouri, fields of corn and soybeans and pastures are as far as the eye can see.

And right through the middle of the state, the Missouri River, Big Muddy, flows. Smaller rivers and creeks spread out through the rest of the state. Some have been dammed to form giant lakes and reservoirs, including the Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, and Mark Twain Lake.

No matter what part of the state you are in, you will experience four very distinct seasons. While the average temperatures are fairly moderate, there are always extremes.

Summer heat can soar over 100 degrees, but if you ask any local, the will say “It’s not so much the heat, as the humidity!” At night, the song of the cicadas is the soundtrack of the season. Be sure to pack your bug spray and sunscreen, or you will most certainly regret it. This summer has been one of the hottest on record, but luckily hot stretches are often broken up by rainy days and cooler weather.

The temperatures stay fairly warm through September, but sweater weather begins in earnest in October and the forests trade in their summer greens for gorgeous crimsons and golds. Missouri’s largest industry is agriculture, so fall also means harvest time. If you are hoping to get some good shots of pumpkins and gourds, this is the time!

Missouri generally has fairly moderate winters, with the earliest snowfalls happening in late November or early December. Most snowstorms result in only an inch or two of accumulation, but every once in a while, we get a solid blanketing of snow. With Missouri’s frequent temperature swings, a larger concern is ice. Make sure to always have a blanket and an ice scraper in your vehicles in case of emergency.

Spring is the rainiest season in Missouri, with average rainfall between 4 and 6 inches in March, April, and May. The abundance of rain leads to absolutely stunning spring flowers, but the storms can occasionally be severe, every so often developing into tornadoes. While tornadoes aren’t an everyday occurrence, it is wise to have an emergency plan in place if you will be filming in the spring months. Make sure there is a secure structure with few windows to shelter in, ideally a basement.

In general, Missouri weather can be a bit of a fickle thing, so make sure to keep up with local weather reports. However, in any season you’ll be sure to find natural beauty in Missouri!