Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid August 7, 2026 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated August 14, 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): 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: southwest Mississippi No Change: Southeast Arkansas, parts of northeast Louisiana or most of north and west central Mississippi Drought Improved: none 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: small part of southwest Mississippi No Change: Southeast Arkansas north central Mississippi, parts of northeast Louisiana and west central Mississippi Drought Improved: small part of southeast Arkansas Past 7 days Precipitation Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms brought patches of heavy rain to the area Rainfall amounts were generally around 1” or less with pockets from 2-3” Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Past 30 days Precipitation Most of the area received 2-6” in the past month with isolated higher amounts Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Daily USGS Streamflow Streamflow was below normal to normal for most of the area Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Forecast rainfall around 0.50” or less for much of the area Higher rainfall amounts than forecast are possible with thunderstorms Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Hazard Outlook For the next 8-14 days, the Gulf States have a risk of rapid onset drought for portions of northeast Mississippi. Otherwise, drought will persist for the Mississippi River Delta Region Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Temperature Outlook Above normal temperatures Below normal rainfall Temperature Departure from normal Temperatures were above normal for the last week For the past month, temperatures were generally normal to slightly above normal Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook Departure from normal Precipitation Rainfall was well below normal for the week, especially west For the past 30 days most of the area was normal to below normal Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall August temperatures are forecast to be above normal Rainfall is forecast to be normal to slightly below normal west 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 slightly above to above normal Rainfall is forecast to 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 above normal for August Fire potential is expected to be normal for September 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 Past 30 days Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts Poor pasture conditions were reported and some crop losses. Rice production was low in southeast Arkansas. Ranchers were reporting less than normal grass for cattle and some animal stress. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Other Impacts There are 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