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| Abnormally Dry Conditions |
| At times, below normal precipitation will lead to a lack of ground water and worsening drought conditions in Arkansas. Check out the latest conditions below. |
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Monitoring Drought in Arkansas |
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| Drought Status |
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A moderate to severe drought (D1/D2) was ongoing in southern, central, and eastern Arkansas as well as the far northwest in mid-December. Next Page Update: January 2, 2025
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| Drought Conditions (Percent Area) |
| Category |
Coverage |
| None |
14.45% |
| D0-D4 |
85.55% |
| D1-D4 |
42.70% |
| D2-D4 |
7.79% |
| D3-D4 |
0% |
| D4 |
0% |
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| In the picture: There were moderate to severe drought (D1/D2) conditions in southern, central, and eastern Arkansas as well as the far northwest on 12/10/2024. |
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| In the picture: Drought conditions as of 12/10/2024. |
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Across the country, the worst drought conditions (at least D3) were in the Desert Southwest, Rockies, Plains, Tennessee Valley, and parts of the Northeast.
Here at home in December (through the 13th), not much fell from the sky. Percent of normal rain was less than fifty percent across much of the region, and under twenty five percent in northern and central Arkansas.
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| Precipitation in December, 2024 (Through the 13th) |
| Site |
Amount |
Normal |
+/- |
% of Normal |
| Fayetteville (NW AR) |
0.12 |
1.27 |
-1.15 |
9% |
| Harrison (NC AR) |
0.14 |
1.30 |
-1.16 |
11% |
| Jonesboro (NE AR) |
0.51 |
1.93 |
-1.42 |
26% |
| Fort Smith (WC AR) |
0.20 |
1.51 |
-1.31 |
13% |
| Little Rock (C AR) |
0.27 |
2.22 |
-1.95 |
12% |
| West Memphis (EC AR) |
1.12 |
2.10 |
-0.98 |
53% |
| Texarkana (SW AR) |
1.16 |
1.91 |
-0.75 |
61% |
| El Dorado (SC AR) |
0.97 |
2.37 |
-1.40 |
41% |
| Pine Bluff (SE AR) |
0.79 |
2.30 |
-1.51 |
34% |
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| In the picture: Precipitation across Arkansas in November, 2024. |
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In November, rainfall was well above average (by five to more than ten inches) across the northern and western counties, and one to more than two inches subpar farther south/east.
There was a deluge in the north/west during the first week of the month. Ten to fifteen inches of rain dumped in portions of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and in the Arkansas River Valley west of Russellville (Pope County). At Harrison (Boone County), 12.37 inches of liquid was measured from November 3rd to the 5th, making this the wettest three day period on record locally. This followed a record dry ninety one day stretch from August 1st through October 30th (2.55 inches).
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| Precipitation in November, 2024 |
| Site |
Amount |
Normal |
+/- |
% of Normal |
| Fayetteville (NW AR) |
9.36 |
3.68 |
+5.68 |
254% |
| Harrison (NC AR) |
14.40 |
3.96 |
+10.44 |
364% |
| Jonesboro (NE AR) |
1.92 |
4.40 |
-2.48 |
44% |
| Fort Smith (WC AR) |
11.02 |
3.85 |
+7.17 |
286% |
| Little Rock (C AR) |
3.64 |
4.72 |
-1.08 |
77% |
| West Memphis (EC AR) |
3.93 |
4.50 |
-0.57 |
87% |
| Texarkana (SW AR) |
5.13 |
3.91 |
+1.22 |
131% |
| El Dorado (SC AR) |
2.43 |
3.83 |
-1.40 |
63% |
| Pine Bluff (SE AR) |
2.28 |
3.97 |
-1.69 |
57% |
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| In the picture: While heavy rain brought relief to portions of northern and western Arkansas in early November, a lack of rain farther south and east resulted in rainfall deficits over six inches in a sixty day period ending on 12/13/2024. |
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In October, umbrellas were not needed much until a cold front brought widespread showers from the Plains on the 31st. Before the rain, temperatures were well above average at times (including record breaking readings), and afternoon humidity levels were low (sometimes less than 20 percent). At one time, burn bans were posted in 66 (of 75) counties, and all of these counties had a high to extreme wildfire danger (according to the Arkansas Forestry Division). Agricultural disasters were declared in multiple counties.
While drought relief was realized in the north/west, this was not the case across much of southern, central, and eastern Arkansas. Sixty to ninety day rainfall deficits were growing to more than six inches, and drought was slowly worsening and expanding.
In 2024 (through December 13th), conditions were more dry than wet in most counties. Precipitation was more than five inches below average at Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) and West Memphis (Crittenden County), and over four inches above average at Fort Smith (Sebastian County) and Little Rock (Pulaski County).
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| Precipitation in 2024 (Through December 13th) |
| Site |
Amount |
Normal |
+/- |
% of Normal |
| Fayetteville (NW AR) |
41.90 |
45.16 |
-3.26 |
93% |
| Harrison (NC AR) |
45.09 |
42.86 |
+2.23 |
105% |
| Jonesboro (NE AR) |
43.12 |
45.99 |
-2.87 |
94% |
| Fort Smith (WC AR) |
51.71 |
45.37 |
+6.34 |
114% |
| Little Rock (C AR) |
52.40 |
47.56 |
+4.84 |
110% |
| West Memphis (EC AR) |
41.34 |
47.62 |
-6.28 |
87% |
| Texarkana (SW AR) |
49.89 |
46.10 |
+3.79 |
108% |
| El Dorado (SC AR) |
51.29 |
48.88 |
+2.41 |
105% |
| Pine Bluff (SE AR) |
42.40 |
47.81 |
-5.41 |
89% |
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| In the pictures: Drought outlook through February, 2025. |
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Looking ahead, a weak La Niña (cooler than normal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean) will likely emerge and continue through the winter. As this happens, there should be more dryness than wetness initially, and more appreciable precipitation as the period progresses. This may put a dent in the drought, but it does not appear there will be enough rain to end the drought (especially across the southern counties). We will monitor the situation closely.
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| Streamflow and Soil Moisture |
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