Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid May 28, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated June 5, 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. Exceptional (D4) conditions continue for small parts of Southeast Arkansas and Northwest Mississippi Extreme (D3) conditions continue for Southeast Arkansas and much of Northwest Mississippi Severe (D2) conditions persist for most of Northeast Louisiana and pockets of Central Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for parts of Northeast Louisiana and parts of Central and Southwest Mississippi Abnormally dry (D0) conditions continue for much of Southeast Mississippi 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): small parts of Southeast Arkansas and Northwest Mississippi D3 (Extreme Drought): Southeast Arkansas and much of Northwest Mississippi D2 (Severe Drought): Northeast Louisiana and pockets of 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: none No Change: most of northeast Louisiana and northwest Mississippi Drought Improved: most of central Mississippi Link to the latest 1-week change map Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Portions of southeast Arkansas, northeast Louisiana along with northwest and central Mississippi No Change: A small portion of northeast Louisiana Drought Improved: most of central Mississippi and a small portion of northeast Louisiana Link to the latest 4-week change map Most of the area was near normal for the month, but seasonal rainfall remains below normal Monthly Values Precipitation There has been really good rainfall this month, especially across the south and east Northwestern portions of the area remain below normal for the month Past 7 days Precipitation Heavy rain fell across the area this past week, with flash flooding and some river flooding Rainfall amounts across the Pine Belt were generally from 4-8” 10-15” fell over Forrest and parts of Lamar counties Northeast Louisiana received 2-6” with isolated amounts up to 8” East Mississippi received 4-6” with isolated amounts up to 8” Southeast Arkansas, and west central Mississippi received 1-4” with isolated higher amounts Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Forecast rainfall amounts for the week were generally from 1-2” with isolated higher amounts Higher amounts are likely with thunderstorms Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was normal for most of the area Several streams in SE Arkansas and NE Louisiana 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 Normal to slightly above normal temperatures Above normal rainfall Temperature Departure from normal Temperatures were normal to slightly above normal for the past week Temperatures were normal to slightly below 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 Deep 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