11/02/2023

While temperatures were well above normal for the entirety of the region last week, widespread precipitation was finally seen in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It rained for several days across these states allowing most areas to see up to 2.5 inches of rain this was due to plenty of available moisture due to moisture advection into the region from decaying Post-Tropical Cyclone Norma. Due to this widespread one-class improvements were experienced in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. But, large weekly accumulations in areas of North-Central Texas, upwards of 10 inches and more led to some two-class improvements in some counties. Unfortunately, though, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee remained dry yet again last week, which led to more one-class degradation in Northern Mississippi and Tennessee last week. Overall these widespread improvements in the region have led to the contraction of areas experiencing drought in the southern region, from 88% of the region on October 24th, to 81% on October 31st.

Looking into the future, as outlined by the U.S Seasonal Drought Outlook, throughout November the majority of the region can expect drought conditions to persist, expect Central Texas as the Climate Prediction Center's monthly outlook for November outlines above-normal temperatures and normal to below-normal precipitation for the region.