Advance is a small town located in southeast Missouri, with a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The town is situated in the Little River watershed, which is dominated by agricultural land use. Hydrology constituents include elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to issues such as algal blooms and hypoxia in downstream water bodies. However, the area offers outdoor recreation opportunities such as hunting, fishing, and boating in the nearby Little River Conservation Area, which provides a mix of forested uplands and wetlands.