Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid April 24, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 1, 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 Southeast Arkansas, most of Northeast Louisiana and West Mississippi Severe (D2) conditions persist for East and South Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for Southeast Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Southeast Arkansas, west Mississippi and most of northeast Louisiana along with a small area of northeast Mississippi D2 (Severe Drought): East and south Mississippi D1 (Moderate Drought): Southeast Mississippi D0: (Abnormally Dry): None Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Southeast Arkansas and most of Central Mississippi and northeast Louisiana No Change: Southwest Mississippi Drought Improved: none Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation The area remains below normal for rainfall Much of the area was 25%- 50% below normal Monthly rainfall was around 2” Seven Day Precipitation Forecast An active pattern will bring a chance of rain nearly every day for the next week Rainfall amounts will be around 1-3” Higher amounts can be expected with thunderstorms Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was much below to below normal for most of the area Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Hazard Outlook For the next 8-14 days, the Gulf States have a low risk of rapid onset drought Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Temperature Outlook Below normal temperatures Normal rainfall Drought Outlook Monthly and Seasonal Drought Monthly drought forecasts show conditions persisting for much of the area Seasonal drought forecasts show drought conditions improving or ending Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to be above normal through April Burn bans are in effect for several counties and parishes in the Jackson CWA Arkansas Burn Bans Louisiana Burn Bans Mississippi Burn Bans Monthly Fire Potential Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination 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 for loss of crops if conditions do not improve Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans were in effect for several counties and parishes 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