Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS Valid April 2, 2026 Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 9, 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/lix/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for SE Louisiana and SW Mississippi Despite some rainfall this week, drought continued to expand and nearly filled in all the Northern Gulf Coast. Drought intensity and extent: D3 (Exceptional Drought): SE LA and remains for Western Wilkinson County in SW MS D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Southeast Louisiana; SW and Coastal Mississippi D0-D1 (Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought): Coastal/South MS and the Florida Parishes Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for SE Louisiana and SW Mississippi One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened (Yellows): Drought was expanded or worsened by one category. No Change (Gray): No changes in category this week Drought Improved (Greens): No improvements this week Precipitation Pockets of rain fell across the I-12 corridor once again with the areas of the Florida Parishes and Southern Mississippi receiving the most. However, there was not enough widespread rainfall to ease the dry conditions. Temperature Unusually warm temperatures have been the continuing trend since the beginning of the 2026. Temperatures are 3 to 9 degrees above average across Southeastern Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture continues to remain depleted across LA and Southern MS Agricultural Impacts Soils moistures are ranked well below normal. Spring planting and crops could be adversely impacted. Livestock ponds maybe running low. Image Captions: Above: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid March 18, 2026 Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. The Outlook for April has condition improving for Louisiana. Southern Mississippi still remains at a higher risk. Conditions will likely continue until we have sufficient rains. To reduce the risk of wildfires, check with local officials before burning. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast There will be some rain chances over the next seven days. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are forecasted. How much the rain will help depends on where it falls and how much falls. These amounts might prevent worsening drought conditions, but may not improve overall condtions. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage November will likely have above normal temperature through the month. However, there is some slight confidence that rainfall could be above average. Monthly Temperature and Rainfall Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Monthly Temperature Outlook for April continues to show a strong trend for above normal temperatures. Rainfall has equal chances of being either below or above average. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Agricultural Impacts Spring planting or early season crops could be adversely affected. Agricultural communities may have to depend on irrigation more heavily. Stock ponds could also be affected. Fire Hazard Impacts The wildfire threat remains high and has increased across much of the deep South. Any areas that have burn bans will likely see those continue and new bans will be likely. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality, water provider, and local Emergency Management for any mitigation information For Questions or comments please contact: julie.lesko@noaa.gov