Drought Information Statement for Central Alabama Valid April 3, 2026 Issued By: NWS Birmingham, AL Contact Information: sr-bmx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated only if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/bmx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 1 Drought intensity and Extent D4 Exceptional Drought: None. D3 Extreme Drought: Expanding into several southeastern counties. D2 and D1 Severe/Moderate Drought: Most of the southern half of the Birmingham area of responsibility is in either severe or moderate drought with this latest update. The northern fringes of the area are also experiencing moderate drought conditions. D0 Abnormally Dry: The Anniston and Birmingham metro areas, as well as areas near Jasper, Fayette and Sylacauga are experiencing abnormally dry or no drought conditions. However, even in these areas some wildfires have been reported. U.S. Drought Monitor Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Mainly in the southeastern locations. No Change and Drought Improvement: Most of the improvement was closest to the metro areas with many rural areas either showing no change or slight improvement. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are generally running well below normal with some at all time lows for the day across the entire area. Agricultural Impacts In January, the USDA designated 19 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to the drought conditions impacting row-crop yields and forage availability. Hardened soil from lack of moisture has made plowing difficult, leading to increased equipment wear, such as dulled plow blades. Corn planting is underway, but many producers are delaying due to dry soils. Much of Alabama’s pasture and rangeland is rated in “poor” or “very poor” conditions. Fire Hazard Impacts There has been an increased amount of wildfire activity across Central Alabama over the past couple of weeks. Other Impacts None Drought Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions & Impacts Streamflows are running much to extremely below normal. Hydrologic Conditions & Impacts Latest observed river conditions Latest river forecasts Agricultural Impacts Soil Moisture continues a slow but steady decline even as intermittent rainfall occurs. Crop moisture is also continuing a slow decline across the southern half of the area Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. There have been an increase of wildfires across central Alabama the past couple of week due to the drought conditions. The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has been routinely limiting or suspending burn permits as dry, windy conditions develop. Any outdoor burning is “strongly discouraged” at this time. Several local municipalities have issued their own “no burn” notices. The outlook May is calling for normal wildfire conditions across the state. Fire Hazard Impacts The latest Alabama drought declaration map has all of Alabama in either an advisory, watch or warning status. This map is expected to be updated soon. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected across the area during the Easter weekend. While this will help bring some relief to the area, the overall expected amounts will not be enough to significantly improve the current drought conditions. Beyond the Easter weekend, mostly dry conditions are expected through the first half of the month. Medium Range Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The seasonal outlook for the next 3 month period is calling for medium chances of above average temperatures. Rainfall probabilities during this same time-frame are calling for near normal chances across the north with higher than average chances in the south. If this pattern verifies, some improvement would be possible with the drought conditions. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The latest seasonal outlook released by the CPC on March 31st and valid through June, shows a mix of improvement and persistence across the area.