Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid March 26, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 3, 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 across the region Extreme (D3) conditions continue for parts of Northeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi Severe (D2) conditions persist for parts of Northeast Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for much of Northeast Louisiana, Southeast Arkansas and Central Mississippi Abnormally dry (D0) conditions have developed for much of Southeast and Northeast Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Northeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northwest Mississippi, small area of southeast Arkansas, southwest Mississippi and much of northeast Louisiana D1 (Moderate Drought): Southeast Arkansas, much of central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of southeast Mississippi and a small area of northeast Mississippi Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Much of Central Mississippi, portions of northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas No Change: Northeast Louisiana and portions of southeast Arkansas Drought Improved: small area of southwest Mississippi Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation The area remains below normal for rainfall Parts of northeast Louisiana were 25-50% below normal Much of the area was over 50% below normal Departure from normal Temperature Temperatures this week will generally be slightly above normal to normal A small area of southeast Mississippi will be slightly below normal this week Above normal temperatures are expected through March Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal. Poor pasture conditions were reported and the potential loss of crops if conditions do not improve Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans were in effect for a few southeast Arkansas and 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 Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to be above normal through March and return to normal in April Burn bans are in effect for several southeast Arkansas, Mississippi counties in the JAN CWA 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 A cold front will move through the area Friday into Saturday, bringing a chance of rain Another system will move in around the middle of next week with small rainfall amounts forecast Rainfall amounts over the next week are forecast to be less than a inch 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 Above normal temperatures Slightly above normal rainfall Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall For April, temperatures will generally be above normal Rainfall will generally be normal to slightly above 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 above 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 conditions improving for much of the area Seasonal drought forecasts generally show drought conditions persisting for southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and most of west Mississippi Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook