Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS Valid January 11, 2024 Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Jan 18, 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. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for SE Louisiana and SW Mississippi Widespread heavy rainfall from Monday the 8th brought another round of improvement to our drought stricken area. 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 a small area of SW MS. D1 (Moderate Drought) to D0 (Abnormally Dry) South-Central LA and portions of Southern 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 one-category improvement across Southern and Coastal MS. Portions of the Florida Parishes and the South Shore also improved. (Greens) Drought was removed entirely along Coastal MS. Precipitation Recent heavy rainfall continues to improve drought conditions. Many locations have received 4” to 6” with isolated areas getting up to 8”. The rainfall deficit since the start of 2023 is beginning to rapidly improve. Temperature Frequent cold fronts have kept temperatures much more seasonable to even a little below average over the last 30 days. However, temperature late this weekend and through next week will be extremely cold for mid January. Temperature across the areas could be as much as 20 degrees below normal. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Agricultural Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid April 20, 2023 Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending April 15, 2023 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. Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Not much rainfall is on tap for the upcoming week. Only about a quarter of inch to half an inch of rainfall is likely. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here 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 have been steadily improving over the last few weeks. 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 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