Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid April 2, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 10, 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 the Mississippi Delta Severe (D2) conditions persist for Southeast Arkansas, parts of Northeast Louisiana, Southwest and Northwest Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for Central Mississippi Abnormally dry (D0) conditions continue for much of Southeast and Northeast Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Small portion of the Mississippi Delta D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northwest Mississippi, southeast Arkansas, portions of southwest Mississippi and much of northeast Louisiana D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of 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: North Central Mississippi, much of northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas No Change: Central and south Mississippi 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 above normal Above normal temperatures are expected through April 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 southeast Arkansas and several 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 April Burn bans are in effect for southeast Arkansas and several Mississippi counties 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 Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will continue across the area today with rainfall amounts generally less than 0.50” A cold front will move through the area Saturday night, bringing a good chance of rain, heavy with thunderstorms Dry conditions will quickly return and continue through the week Rainfall amounts from 1-2” are forecast over the 7 days 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 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 show drought conditions persisting for southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and most of central Mississippi Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook