Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS Valid December 7, 2023 Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Dec 14, 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 Recent rains and cooler temperatures have brought significant improvements to drought categories. Drought intensity and extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Mainly across areas south of Lake Pontchartrain D3 (Extreme Drought) to D2 (Severe Drought): Still covers a large portion of SE LA and Southern MS D1 (Moderate Drought) to D0 (Abnormally Dry): Small area in Coastal Mississippi 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: Some areas south of Lake Pontchartrain and a small area of Southern MS (Gray) Drought Improved: Significant changes across much of SE LA and Southern/Coastal MS(Greens) Precipitation Over the last 30 days, the local area has received 5” to 8” of rain with some higher amount across the southern portions. The departure from normal percentages are currently well above 100% now given the amounts of rain that fell. It still should be noted that we are still over 12” to 20” below normal in some areas since the beginning of the year. Temperature Temperatures over the last 30 days were averaging near normal to a few degrees above average across the area. Temperatures are still expected to trend above normal this month. The outlook for December indicates that chances for wildfire has returned to normal conditions for Southeast Louisiana and Southern/Coastal Mississippi. Locally, a more active weather pattern has aided in the reduction of critical burning conditions with statewide burn bans dropped. Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Another weather system will pass through this weekend and bring the area another chance for 0.50” to around 1" of rainfall. Once again, the dry weather will return for the beginning of the next work week. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage December’s outlook indicates that above-normal temperatures are expected overall. Above normal rainfall is expected as well thru the month of December. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The seasonal drought outlook thru February indicates the drought will remain, but is expected to improve. 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 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 Per Louisiana State Fire Marshall's office, statewide burn ban was lifted on Tuesday, November 21st. 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 encourage use of the CMOR (link above) to report drought impacts For Questions or comments please contact: julie.lesko@noaa.gov