Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid May 15, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 22, 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 and have worsened for some areas Exceptional (D4) conditions have developed for parts of Bolivar and Ashley counties Extreme (D3) conditions continue for parts of Southeast Arkansas, and a small area of Northeast and Central Mississippi Severe (D2) conditions persist for most of Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for South and East Mississippi Abnormally dry (D0) conditions continue for small areas of Southeast Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of Bolivar county Mississippi and Ashley county Arkansas D3 (Extreme Drought): Southeast Arkansas, and a small area of northeast and central Mississippi D2 (Severe Drought): most of northeast Louisiana and central Mississippi D1 (Moderate Drought): South and east Mississippi D0: (Abnormally Dry): small areas of southeast Mississippi Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana along with northwest and central Mississippi No Change: Most central Mississippi and a small portion of northeast Louisiana Drought Improved: southwest Mississippi and a portions of northeast Louisiana Link to the latest 1-week change map Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Southeast Arkansas, most of Mississippi No Change: Northeast Louisiana Drought Improved: Small area of southwest Mississippi Link to the latest 4-week change map Most of the area is near normal for the month, but remains below normal rainfall for the season Monthly Values Precipitation There has been really good rainfall so far this month, mainly across the south Northwestern portions of the area remain well below normal for the month Past 7 days Precipitation Much of the rain was across the south over the past week Rainfall amounts south of I-20 were from 1-3” with higher amounts near 4” southeast Rainfall amounts north of I-20 were from 1-2” Parts of the Delta saw amounts of 0.50” or less Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Things have been quiet this week, but there are some small rain chances for early next week Forecast rainfall amounts 1-2” general west of I-55 1” or less forecast for areas east of I-55 Higher amounts can be expected with thunderstorms Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was normal most of the area Several streams in SE Arkansas, NE Louisiana and NW Mississippi were still below normal Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to be normal for May Fire potential is expected to be above normal for northeast Louisiana in June JAN CWA does not have any burn bans in effect at this time Arkansas Burn Bans Louisiana Burn Bans Mississippi Burn Bans Monthly Fire Potential Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center 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 Above normal temperatures Slightly above normal rainfall Temperature Departure from normal Temperatures were below normal for the past week Temperatures were normal to slightly above normal for the past month Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall May temperatures will generally be normal Rainfall will generally be slightly above to 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 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 through May 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 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. Several locations reported later planting. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time 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