12/28/2023

Rainfall Christmas weekend throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Southern Louisiana, and Mississippi resulted in one-class improvements in the areas. A two-class improvement was even observed in part of Matagorda and Brazoria Counties in South Texas. Inconsistent and miniscule rainfall in Arkansas, Central Mississippi, and Tennessee have led to continued drought degradations in the three states. This led to the expansion of exceptional drought (D4) into parts of central and northern Mississippi with the introduction of Eastern Arkansas.

Looking into the future, as outlined by the Seasonal Drought Outlook, valid for this winter, drought improvements follow what one would expect with a strong El Niño. Drought removal is likely in the Lower Brazos Valley, Southern Louisiana, and Southern Mississippi. Drought is expected to remain, yet improve in Central Louisiana, Eastern Arkansas, and Central Mississippi.