Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid July 17, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated July 24, 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 parts of Southeast Arkansas and much of Northwest Mississippi Severe (D2) conditions persist for small parts of Southeast Arkansas and Northwest Mississippi Moderate drought (D1) conditions continue for parts of Southeast Arkansas and Northwest Mississippi Abnormally dry (D0) conditions continue for parts of Northeast Louisiana, Central and Northeast 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): small parts of southeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi D1 (Moderate Drought): small parts of southeast Arkansas and parts of northwest Mississippi D0: (Abnormally Dry): parts of northeast Louisiana, central and northeast 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: Southeast Arkansas and most of and north central Mississippi Drought Improved: a small area of northeast Louisiana, southeast Arkansas and west central Mississippi Link to the latest 1-week change map Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Link to the latest 4-week change map Drought Worsened: none No Change: parts of southeast Arkansas and north central Mississippi Drought Improved: much of northeast Louisiana, southwest and central Mississippi Past 7 days Precipitation Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms brought patches of rain to the area Rainfall amounts were generally around 1-3” with some isolated higher amounts Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Past 30 days Precipitation North/Highway 82 corridor around 2-12” Northeast Louisiana around 4-12” Central Mississippi around 4-12” Southwest Mississippi around 2-6” Southeast Mississippi around 2-12” Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was normal to above normal for most of the area Some streams in southeast Arkansas, central and northwest Mississippi were below normal Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Forecast rainfall generally less than 1” Higher rainfall amounts than forecast are likely with thunderstorms 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 Normal rainfall Temperature Departure from normal Temperatures were slightly above normal for the last week For the past month, temperatures were generally normal Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook Departure from normal Precipitation Much of the area was below normal for the week SE AR, parts of NE LA and Central MS saw above normal rainfall for the week This past month most of the area was above normal to well above normal for the month, except NW MS Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall July temperatures are forecast to be above normal Normal rainfall is forecast for the month 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 above normal Rainfall will generally be normal to slightly below 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 drought persisting for the the Mississippi River Delta region Seasonal drought forecasts show drought persisting for the the Mississippi River Delta region 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 normal for July Fire potential may be above normal for northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas in August 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 Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Reservoirs in the Tenn-Tom system were low Agricultural Impacts Deep soil moisture remains below normal for much of the Mississippi River Delta region. Poor pasture conditions were reported and some crop losses. Rice production was low in southeast Arkansas. Ranchers were relying on hay to feed cattle. Several locations reported later planting. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Other Impacts Tourist groups were experiencing revenue losses due to drought reducing the number of fireflies and tours being canceled for the season. Reports of higher shipping costs due to low water along the Mississippi River. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality for mitigation information. Links to submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter