Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid April 9, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 17, 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, the Mississippi Delta and Southwest Mississippi 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 and southwest Mississippi and portions of northeast Louisiana D2 (Severe Drought): Northwest Mississippi, southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana and portions of southwest Mississippi D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of central Mississippi 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 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 Conditions look dry for most of the week A few boundaries will approach the area, bringing small rain chances, mainly for the west Rainfall amounts will generally be less than o.5” higher amounts can be expected with thunderstorms Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was much below normal for most of the area Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Hazard Outlook Gulf States for the next 8-14 days, have a risk of rapid onset drought and persistent or worsening drough for east/southeast Mississippi Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Temperature Outlook Above normal temperatures Normal to to slightly below 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