Drought Information Statement for the Mid-South Valid April 9, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Memphis, TN Contact Information: nws.memphis@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 1, 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. Exceptional (D4) Drought exists in northeast Arkansas and northwest Mississippi 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): Northeast Arkansas (Craighead and Poinsett counties) and a small, intense pocket in Northwest Mississippi (Tunica/Coahoma area) D3 (Extreme): the Arkansas Delta and the Mississippi riverfront remains in extreme drought 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 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 generally above normal by 6-8 degrees. Temperatures over the last 30 days were widely above normal by 8+ degrees. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts River levels across the Mississippi River basin are below normal and expected to decline by the end of April. River levels across the Tennessee River basin are below normal expected to remain at steady levels into the end of 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. Yield loss is a possibility, but the extent is unknown at this time. 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, Lee, and Lafayette 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 the rest of April and into May. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Showers and thunderstorms will return to the forecast late next week resulting in rainfall totals up to one inch. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is equal chances for the rest of April of experiencing above or below normal precipitation. There is also a 33-40% chance of above normal precipitation in extreme northeast Arkansas. There is a 40-50% chance for above-normal temperatures to continue across the Mid-South for the rest of 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.