Drought Information Statement for the Mid-South Valid April 30, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Memphis, TN Contact Information: nws.memphis@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 15, 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), and Moderate (D1) drought conditions elsewhere. Drought conditions across are expected to improve or end by the end of July. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and extent: D4 (Exceptional): Northeast Arkansas (Craighead and Poinsett counties) and a small, intense pocket in Northwest Mississippi (Tallahatchie/Quitman area). D3 (Extreme): Northeast Arkansas, the Missouri Bootheel, and most of West Tennessee. D2 (Severe): Portions of west Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and portions of northwest Mississippi. D1 (Moderate): Portions of northeast Mississippi. D0 (Abnormally Dry): None. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One-Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened In: Two small areas in eastern Arkansas and northeast Mississippi. No Change In: Almost the entire Mid-South. Drought Improved In: None. Precipitation Precipitation across the Mid-South over the last 30 days was widely below normal, falling in the 10-50% of normal range. Generally, 1-4” of precipitation was recorded over the last 30 days with locally higher amounts up to 8”. Temperature Temperatures over the last 7 days were generally 1-4 degrees above normal, with a heat maximum over the MS Delta being 4-6 degrees above normal 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 slightly below normal and expected to rise to near normal levels into early May. River levels across the Tennessee River basin are near normal expected to remain at steady levels into early May. Agricultural Impacts In north Mississippi, pastures are providing very little to no feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock conditions, with a heavy loss of yield potential anticipated. In northwest Tennessee, pastures are providing little to no feed, requiring supplemental feeding. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans are in effect in Phillips County, Arkansas; and Marshall, Lee, and Lafayette counties, 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 May and June. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Showers and thunderstorms are likely along and south of I-40 on Friday, May 1-Saturday, May 2. Area wide rain chances will return on Tuesday, May 5. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is equal chances for the month of May of experiencing above or below normal precipitation. There is a 33-40% chance for above-normal temperatures for most of the Mid-South for the month of May. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are anticipated to improve and/or end by the end of July.