Drought Information Statement for Southeast Arkansas, Northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Valid October 16, 2025 Issued By: NWS Jackson, MS Contact Information: nws.jacksonms@noaa.gov This product will be updated October, 23, 2025 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 to worsen across the region Severe(D2) to Extreme(D3) conditions have developed for portions of northeast Mississippi Moderate (D1) to Severe drought (D2) conditions continue for portions of the lower Mississippi River Delta Abnormally dry (D0) conditions continue to spread across the rest of the area 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Lowndes D2 (Severe Drought): Grenada, Lowndes, Noxubee D1 (Moderate Drought): Lower Mississippi River Delta and northeast Mississippi D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of northeast Louisiana and Central Mississippi Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Lowndes, Noxubee, Winston, Kemper, Neshoba, Lauderdale, Clarke, Lawrence, Jefferson Davis, Marion and Forrest counties No Change: the remainder of the area Drought Improved: Link to the latest 4-week change map Monthly Values Precipitation Rainfall remains below normal across the area Totals across much of the area are 2-3 inches below normal for the month Seasonal amounts are nearly 5 inches below normal with some higher amounts Departure from normal Temperature Temperatures will remain slightly to above normal for the next week Temperatures have been 4-6 degrees above normal for the past 30 day Seasonal forecasts show above normal temperatures will continue Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Summary of Impacts Links: Submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts A Marine Safety Information Bulletin was issued to outline the low water advisory and tow restrictions for a portion of the Lower Mississippi River Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Fire Hazard Impacts There are burn bans in effect for West Carroll Parish and Attala County at this time. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality for mitigation information. Streamflow Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Southeast Arkansas - Normal Northeast Louisiana - Normal to Below Normal East and Southeast Mississippi - Below Normal Lower Mississippi Delta Below to Much Below Normal Central and Southwest Mississippi generally Normal Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 10/16/2025 Soil Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is well below normal across the area Some areas are over 3 inches below normal Rainfall amounts are not expected to improve conditions Seasonal forecasts show below normal rainfall will continue Fire Hazard Impacts Fire potential is expected to worsen over the next month, especially for Mississippi Arkansas Burn Bans Louisiana Burn Bans Mississippi Burn Bans Monthly Fire Potential Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall amounts around 2 inches or less are forecast for the next week Much of the area is 2-3 inches below normal for the month Potential rainfall this week is not expected to improve drought conditions Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Hazard Outlook The rapid onset drought risk is low for the Gulf State for the next 8-14 days Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Rainfall Outlook Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day Temperature Outlook Long-Range Outlooks Monthly Temperature and Rainfall Temperatures are forecast to remain above normal Rainfall amounts are expected to remain below 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 drought conditions developing for most of the area and persisting for the lower Mississippi River Delta and north central Mississippi Seasonal drought forecasts show drought conditions remaining the same through the end of the year Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook