Drought Information Statement for Southeast LA and Southwest MS Valid December 28 , 2023 Issued By: NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge Contact Information: sr-lix.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Jan 4, 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 Current drought conditions have improved across much of the region. 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 portions of SW MS into the MS/LA border. D1 (Moderate Drought) to D0 (Abnormally Dry) South-Central LA and near 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: Southern MS and South-central LA (Gray) Drought Improved: A one-category improvement occurred along or near the I-10/12 corridor from Coastal MS towards Baton Rouge. More improvements were were noted in parishes south of Lake Pontchartrain. (Greens) Drought was removed along portions of Harrison and Jackson Co. Precipitation Rainfall over the last 30 to 60 days continues to help improve the dry soil conditions. The departure from normal percentages are currently well above 100% for much of our local area. However, many areas still have only received half of their average rainfall amounts since the beginning of 2023. Temperature The recent cold fronts have kept temperatures much more seasonable over the last 30 days Temperatures are within a few degrees of normal this time of year. 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 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 The local area could receive another 0.75” to near 1.25” during the first few days of New Year 2024. Off and on rainfall events every few days helps to allow the groundwater to replenish and rivers to return to normal levels. 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 December’s outlook indicates that above-normal temperatures will continue. There is high confidence that above normal rainfall is expected through the remainder of December. January’s Outlook will be available in the next issuance. 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 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 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