Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS Valid November 16, 2023 Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Nov 23, 2023 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 Exceptional Drought remains in place across portions of South Central Louisiana and Southwest Mississippi. Drought intensity and extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Extensive D4 drought covers all of SE LA and much Southern MS D3 (Extreme Drought): Mainly 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: No changes in category this week (Gray) Drought Improved: No improvement was noted this week ( Greens) Precipitation The Coastal low brought some much needed need rain, although it wasn’t much. Note: Rainfall after Tuesday morning (11/14) is not included in this week’s Drought Monitor. It will be on the 23rd’s Drought Monitor We still remain significantly below normal with rainfall amounts. Temperature Temperatures over the last 30 days were averaging near normal or within a few degrees. Some portions of SE Louisiana and Southern MS are still 2 to 4 degrees. A cold front will pass through the area early next week bring us another cool down. The updated Outlook for November still has the wildfire potential remaining high. Conditions will likely continue until we have sufficient rains. Burn bans remain in effect for much of Southeast Louisiana Burning should be discouraged as forest fuels are dry. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Most of this next weekend will be dry. A cold front will move into the region early next week. There will be a chance for more widespread rainfall. The amounts may still be low, with around 1 inch possible. Cooler temperatures will return behind the front. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The December’s outlook hints that there is a chance that slightly above normal temperatures will continue. There is slight confidence that rainfall could be above average which would be beneficial considering the level of drought. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Monthly Drought Outlook for November has the drought conditions persisting. 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 along the Mississippi River due to salt water intrusion Recreational boating and commercial industry navigation are impacted by low water levels Agricultural Impacts Reports of poor crop conditions and decreased harvests Increased livestock sales due to lack of resources; poor grazing conditions Winter planting could be delayed and crops affected Fire Hazard Impacts A wildfire threat remains and burn bans will likely continue Mitigation Actions Some areas are encouraging water voluntary water restrictions Mandatory may become necessary Water Conservation is encouraged in drought areas Please refer to your municipality, water provider, and local Emergency Management for mitigation information Other Information Please encourage use of the CMOR (link above) to report drought impacts For Questions or comments please contact: julie.lesko@noaa.gov