Drought Information Statement for Arkansas
Valid May 7, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service-WFO Little Rock, AR
Contact Information: nws.littlerock@noaa.gov
This product will be updated June 4th, 2026 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/LZK/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Most of Arkansas continues to experience drought conditions. 
Nearly 85% of the state is in severe drought or greater (D2 or greater).
Approximately 12% of the state is in exceptional drought (D4) conditions. 
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U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Arkansas


Drought intensity and extent:

D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of central, north central, northeast, and south central Arkansas.
D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of north, northeast, north central, central, southern and southeast Arkansas.
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of western, northwest, eastern and southern Arkansas.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of northwest and southwest Arkansas.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of western and northwest Arkansas.
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Recent Change in Drought Intensity


Portions of central, south central, and northwest Arkansas deteriorated one drought category.


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Precipitation
Below normal precipitation was noted across most of Arkansas during the last 30 days.
Some western and east central areas of Arkansas were above normal.
During the last 30 days, deficits were most noticeable across southeast portions of the state. 


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Temperature
Significantly warmer than normal temperatures prevailed across the state of Arkansas during the past month. 
The most recent 7-day period wasn’t quite as extreme. 

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Summary of Impacts

Fire Hazard Impacts

Recent dry conditions have promoted enhanced fire danger conditions across Arkansas. 
Arkansas Wildfire Danger and Burn Bans


Agricultural and Wildlife Impacts
Recent dry conditions have led to significant impacts to livestock and agriculture.
Recent Agriculture and Livestock Impacts



Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
The 7 day precipitation forecast includes less than an inch of rain across most of the state.

 
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Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions are expected to improve across most areas during the next 3-month period.