Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS 
Valid February 8, 2024
Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge
Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov
This is the last update at this time. This statement will resume as needed when D3 (Extreme Drought) becomes noted.
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 
The hardest hit drought areas continue to improve as water levels begin to recover.

Drought intensity and extent

D4 (Exceptional Drought) and D3 (Extreme Drought): Completely Removed/None.

D2 (Severe Drought):  Very small area across far Southern LA.

D1 (Moderate Drought) to D0 (Abnormally Dry): Mainly across the West and Southwest areas.

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: Small areas near Baton Rouge (Gray)

Drought Improved: Drought improved one entire category again South and West of Lake Pontchartrain and towards SW MS. (Greens)



  



Precipitation
Above normal rainfall has been noted across our areas. 

SE LA and Southern MS have already received 150-200% of normal. 

Amounts for the last 30 days have ranged from 6 to 10 inches with some areas getting over a foot of rain!
 






Temperature

Temperatures have been a bit warmer than average over the last couple of weeks.  

The last 30 days are beginning to average more towards normal for early February. 
 








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 February depicts that chances for wildfires to develop are below normal along the MS coast given recent rainfall.




Fire Hazard Impacts
Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Another round of showers and some thunderstorms we will be move through this weekend, mainly on Sunday. 
 
The local area can receive around 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. 












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
The temperature outlook for February gives us equal chances for either above or below average temperature swings.  
  
There is still slightly higher confidence that the rainy pattern will continue through the month with chances for above average rainfall. 

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 
None known at this time.

Agricultural Impacts
Some farmers still need supplemental hay to feed livestock
Crawfish aquaculture and supply has been significantly impacted.  

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. 

	Please note that this will be the last update to the drought information statement for this drought period.  The statements will resume if Extreme Drought (D3) or greater returns.   


For Questions or comments please contact:

	julie.lesko@noaa.gov