Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid January 30, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated February 5, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/JAN/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Drought conditions have worsened for Northeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi, Severe(D2) conditions have persisted for a few weeks Abnormally dry (D0) to Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for much of the region 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Lower Mississippi River Delta including northwest Mississippi and southeast Arkansas, much of northeast Louisiana and an small area of southwest Mississippi D1 (Moderate Drought): southwest Mississippi and northeast Louisiana D0: (Abnormally Dry): Lower Mississippi Delta, central and southeast Mississippi Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Small area in northeast Louisiana No Change: Much of the western half of the area Drought Improved: Most of central and east Mississippi Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation The western half of the area remains nearly 50% below normal or greater for the past month Several precipitation events have brought short term improvements Seasonal forecasts continue to show normal to below normal rainfall Departure from normal Temperature Temperatures this week will be below normal to well below normal Over the past month, temperatures have been above normal Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Broadcasts to Mariners were issued to outline issue related to low water and frozen conditions on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal. However, there were no known impacts at this time Fire Hazard Impacts No burn bans were in effect for the NWS Jackson county warning area Other Impacts There were no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality for mitigation information. Links to submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Streamflow Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Southeast Arkansas - Much Below Normal to Normal Northeast Louisiana - Normal to Above Normal Northwest Mississippi - Below Normal to Normal Central and south Mississippi - Normal Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 1/29/2026 Soil Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal Several recent events brought precipitation to the region, helping with short-term improvements to soil conditions Seasonal forecasts show normal to below normal rainfall will continue Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to be normal through February and increase to above normal in March for central and south Mississippi Arkansas Burn Bans Louisiana Burn Bans Mississippi Burn Bans Monthly Fire Potential Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall for the next week is forecast to be a inch or less Generally 0.50-1.0 inches Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Hazard Outlook The rapid onset drought risk is low for the Gulf States for the next 8-14 days Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Temperature Outlook Normal to slightly below normal temperatures Normal to slightly below normal rainfall Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall For February, temperatures will generally be normal to slightly above normal Rainfall will generally be normal Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook Long-Range Outlooks Seasonal Temperature and Rainfall The temperature will generally be above normal The rainfall will generally be normal to slightly below Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook Drought Outlook Monthly and Seasonal Drought Monthly drought forecasts show drought conditions persisting for for the lower Mississippi River Delta and northeast Louisiana Seasonal drought forecasts show drought conditions persisting for the same areas through the spring Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook