Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid February 9, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated February 12, 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, Extreme (D3) conditions have developed Severe (D2) conditions persist for much of Northeast Louisiana, parts of Southwest Mississippi, Northwest Mississippi and Southeast Arkansas Abnormally dry (D0) to Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for parts of Southeast Mississippi, Northeast Louisiana and West Central Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): A small area of northeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi 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): Northeast Louisiana Lower Mississippi Delta, west 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 southeast Arkansas, southwest Mississippi and northwest Mississippi No Change: Areas of west central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana Drought Improved: Most of central and east Mississippi Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation A few heavy rain events over the past few months have brought short term improvements The western half of the area remains nearly 25-50% below normal or greater for the past month The east to southeast half of the area was above to well above normal for the month Departure from normal Temperature Temperatures this week will be below normal to well below normal Over the past month, temperatures have been normal to slightly below normal Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Broadcasts to Mariners were issued to outline safety restrictions and ice accumulations on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal. Poor pasture conditions were reported and potential loss of crops if conditions do not improve 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 - Below Normal to Normal Northeast Louisiana - Below Normal to Normal West Mississippi - Below Normal to Normal East Mississippi - Below Normal to Much Below Normal Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 2/8/2026 Soil Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal across the region Conditions for well below normal for the western portions of the area 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 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 1-2” rainfall amounts possible over the next week Much of the rain will be north of I-20 Isolated higher amounts will be possible 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 Slightly below normal temperatures Slightly below normal rainfall Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall For February, temperatures will generally be normal to slightly below 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 Seasonal forecasts show temperatures generally above normal 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 Mississippi Delta, northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas 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