Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS 
Valid January 4 , 2024
Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge
Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Jan 11, 2024 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/lix/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
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U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for SE Louisiana and SW Mississippi 
Current drought conditions have improved across much of the region.

Drought intensity and extent

D4 (Exceptional Drought): A small portion remains along the SE LA Gulf parishes

D3 (Extreme Drought) to D2 (Severe Drought): These areas remain is far SE LA and portions of SW MS into the MS/LA border.

D1 (Moderate Drought) to D0 (Abnormally Dry) South-Central LA and near Coastal MS 

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 4-week change map for SE Louisiana and SW Mississippi
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change

Drought Worsened: No Change (Yellows) 

No Change: Much of the region noted no change. (Gray)

Drought Improved: There was a small area of one-category improvement near Baton Rouge and north into the MS border.
 (Greens)

 
Precipitation
Rainfall over the last 30 help improve the dry soil conditions.  

The departure from normal percentages are currently well above 100% for much of the southern half, but northern and western areas remain below normal.
 
However, many areas still have only received half of their average rainfall amounts since the beginning of 2023. 


Temperature

The recent cold fronts have kept temperatures much more seasonable over the last 30 days.

Temperatures are generally within a few degrees of normal for this time of year.


The outlook for January depicts that chances for wildfires are still around average to even below normal along the MS coast given recent rainfall.

Predicted rainfall over the next few days will help keep wildfire condition to minimal.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
The next seven day period indicates two rounds of rainfall, one Friday into Saturday and another Monday into Tuesday of the coming week. 

Together, these two weather systems have the potential to bring 2” to 4” inches of rain across the local area. Some areas could receive more. 

This rain would be significantly beneficial to the soil moisture recovery.

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
January’s temperature outlook shows that there
are equal chances for either slightly above or below normal temperatures through the month
 
There is high confidence that above normal rainfall will occur during the first month of 2024.  

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage

The seasonal drought outlook thru March  indicates the drought conditions may improve completely. 

Categories may improve or worsen at times depending on temperatures and rainfall.

Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
Drinking water has been compromised for some communities in Plaquemines Parish due to salt water intrusion
Recreational boating and commercial industry navigation are impacted by low water levels 

Agricultural Impacts
Winter planting could be delayed and crops affected 

Fire Hazard Impacts
None known at this time. 

Mitigation Actions
Water Conservation is encouraged in drought areas 
Please refer to your municipality, water provider, and local Emergency Management for mitigation information

Other Information
Please use and encourage others to report drought impacts at CMOR (link above). Reports help improve the accuracy of the Drought Monitor. 


For Questions or comments please contact:

	julie.lesko@noaa.gov