Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid February 27, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 6, 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 continue for much of the region Extreme (D3) conditions continue for parts of Northeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi 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 Central Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): A small area of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northwest Mississippi, southeast Arkansas, southwest Mississippi and much of northeast Louisiana D1 (Moderate Drought): Southwest Mississippi and northeast Louisiana D0: (Abnormally Dry): a small area of Northeast Louisiana, portions of northwest Mississippi, much of central Mississippi and southeast Mississippi Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Northeast Louisiana, southwest Mississippi and northwest Mississippi and areas of southeast Arkansas No Change: Areas of west central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana Drought Improved: A very small area in northeast Louisiana and southeast Mississippi Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation Most of the area remains below normal for rainfall More areas have become nearly 25-50% below normal or greater for the past month Departure from normal Temperature Temperatures this week will be above 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 on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tombigbee 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 Burn bans were in effect for a few Mississippi counties in 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 Soil Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains well below normal across the region Conditions are not forecast to improve in the short term Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to be normal through February and increase to above normal in March Burn bans are in effect for several Mississippi counties through 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 Minimal rainfall for the next week Forecast amounts around 0.5” or less 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 temperatures Above 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 generally show drought conditions persisting for for the Mississippi Delta, northeast Louisiana and southwest Arkansas Seasonal drought forecasts generally 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