Drought Information Statement for the Mid-South Valid March 26, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Memphis, TN Contact Information: nws.memphis@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/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 much of region are expected to persist through June. 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): Portions of 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 generally below-normal across much of the Mid-South over the last 30 days. The region measured approximately 2-4” over the last 30 days. Temperature Temperatures over the last 7 days were generally above normal by 1-6 degrees. Temperatures over the last 30 days were widely above normal by 6-8+ degrees. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts River levels across the Mississippi River basin are expected to decline into early April. River levels across the Tennessee River basin are expected to remain at steady levels into early April. Agricultural Impacts In north Mississippi, pastures are providing very little to no feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock conditions. In northeast Arkansas and northwest Tennessee, pastures are providing generally adequate feed, but less than normal for the time of year. Fire Hazard Impacts The following burn bans are in effect in: Clay, Greene, Craighead, Mississippi, Poinsett, Cross, St. Francis and Phillips counties in Arkansas and Marshall, Benton, Alcorn, and Tishomingo counties in Mississippi. Other Impacts Pond levels are very low across the entire Mid-South. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Fire Hazard Impacts The wildland fire outlook is expected to be normal across the Mid-South for April and May. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Mostly dry conditions will persist for the end of March with rain chances increasing on Friday and again in early April. Rainfall accumulation is anticipated to be minimal this Friday, with more significant chances arriving by late next week. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Portions of the Upper and Lower Mississippi River Valleys are at risk of heavy precipitation in early April. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is a 33-50% chance of experiencing above normal precipitation across much of the Mid-South in April. There is a 40-50% chance for above-normal temperatures across the Mid-South for April. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are anticipated to persist through the end of June for much of the Mid-South with little chance of improvement expected.