Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS 
Valid January 18, 2024
Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge
Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Jan 25, 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 
No changes were made this week as rainfall was negligible. 

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: No Change (Gray)

Drought Improved: No Change (Greens)



Precipitation
The last week was fairly dry despite the wintery mix that fell. 

Despite that, several parishes and counties are still trending above normal for the rainfall over the last 30 days. 
 
However, predicted rainfall for the week of the 21st could see the lingering rainfall deficit improve.  


Temperature

Bitterly cold temperatures this week allowed the 30 day running average to be below normal across most of the area.

Temperatures from mid-December to mid-January were 2 to 4 degrees below average with even some areas as much as 6 degrees below average.   


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
A slow moving system will travel along the Gulf Coast next week bring a high chance for rainfall.

Widespread rainfall of 3” to 4” will be possible as the system moves east.  Some areas could receive higher totals. 

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
With January already halfway through, temperatures so far have been below normal. 
  
Meanwhile, rainfall is still on track to be above normal this month should the 7 day rainfall forecast pans out.   

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

The updated seasonal drought outlook now through April continues to show improving drought conditions.

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
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