Drought Information Statement for the Mid-South Valid March 5, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Memphis, TN Contact Information: nws.memphis@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 26, 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/MEG/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. A small patch of Exceptional (D4) Drought exists in northeast Arkansas with Extreme (D3), Severe (D2), Moderate (D1), and Abnormally Dry (D0) drought conditions elsewhere. Drought conditions across the entire region are expected to improve or end by the end of May. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and extent: D4 (Exceptional): Southwest Craighead and northwest Poinsett counties, Arkansas. D3 (Extreme): Portions of northeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi. D2 (Severe): Parts of far north West Tennessee, northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, and northwest Mississippi. D1 (Moderate): Portions of eastern Arkansas, north Mississippi, and much of West Tennessee. D0 (Abnormally Dry): Parts of north Mississippi and West Tennessee. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened In: Portions of West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and north Mississippi. No Change In: Portions of northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, and northwest Mississippi. Drought Improved In: None. Precipitation Precipitation was widely below- normal across the Mid-South over the last 30 days. The region measured approximately 2” or less over the last 30 days. Temperature Temperatures over the last 7 days were split (above, near, or below normal) with warmer temperatures in western portions and cooler in the eastern portions of the region . Temperatures leaned slightly above normal by 1-4 degrees over the last 30 days. Summary of Impacts See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts River levels across the Mississippi River basin are expected to gradually increase due to upstream snowmelt and rainfall. River levels across the Tennessee River basin are expected to fluctuate for the next several days. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. 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 and/or water provider for mitigation information. Agricultural Impacts Due to recent precipitation, the crop moisture index indicates slightly above-normal water availability along and north of the I-40 corridor. Fire Hazard Impacts The wildland fire outlook is expected to be above normal across north Mississippi and normal elsewhere across the region for the remainder of March. The wildland fire outlook is expected to be normal across the Mid-South for April. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast An active weather pattern will continue over the next 7 days with 4-7 inches of rain expected. Highest accumulations are expected across the Delta Region. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Due to the active and unsettled weather pattern, flooding remains a concern across the Lower Ohio River Valley/Lower Mississippi River Basins. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is a 33-70% chance of experiencing above normal precipitation across the entire region for the rest of March with higher chances in northern portions. There is a 70% chance for above-normal temperatures across the Mid-South for the rest of March. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought across west Tennessee is expected to end by the end of May. Drought across eastern Arkansas and northwest Mississippi is expected to improve or end by the end of May.