Drought Information Statement for Arkansas
Valid Aug 14th, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service-WFO Little Rock, AR
Contact Information: nws.littlerock@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Oct 13th, 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.
Nearly 62% of Arkansas continues to experience drought conditions.
Nearly 27% of the state is in severe drought or greater (D2 or greater).
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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 southeast Arkansas.

D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of northeast, central, and southeast Arkansas.

D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northeast, central, east,and southeast Arkansas.

D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of western Arkansas, Arkansas river valley, and eastern Arkansas. 

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of the state not in a drought category (D1 or greater).

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.

Drought conditions worsened across portions of western and central Arkansas.

Precipitation
Most areas of the state were below normal with precipitation during the past 30 days. 


Temperature
Most areas of the state had above normal temperatures during the past 7 days. 


Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Agricultural and Wildlife Impacts
Recent dry conditions have led to significant impacts to livestock and agriculture.
Recent Agriculture and Livestock Impacts


Fire Hazard Impacts
Fire danger conditions have increased across the state. 


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
The 7 day precipitation forecast calls for less than one half inch across portions of the state.


Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Forecasts indicate flash drought conditions are likely to develop across portions of the state.

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Above normal temperatures, and below normal precipitation is forecast for state during the month of August. 

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Through the late October, most areas of the state are expected to experience drought conditions. 

Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook