Drought Information Statement for Arkansas
Valid Sep 18, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service-WFO Little Rock, AR
Contact Information: nws.littlerock@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Oct. 9, 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.
Overall 65% of the state is categorized as at least severe drought (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 northern and southeast Arkansas.

D3 (Extreme Drought): Widely scattered areas of the state. 

D2 (Severe Drought): Northeast, much of central and southern Arkansas.

D1 (Moderate Drought): Many areas of the state not classified as a higher category.

D0: (Abnormally Dry): The rest of the state not in a classification of drought (D1 or greater).
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Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 4-week change map for Arkansas
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.

Drought condition degradations were noted across southern Arkansas.  A few areas of drought improvement were noted across northern Arkansas.
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Precipitation
Much of Arkansas experienced below normal precipitation during the past 30 days. 



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Temperature
Temperatures were well above normal during the past 7 and 30 day periods. 

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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


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Below to much below normal streamflow conditions were noted at a number of rivers across the state.  

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Agricultural Impacts
Summarize conditions/impacts here
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Fire Hazard Impacts
The significant wildland fire potential outlook indicates an above normal chance for significant wildland fires across Arkansas and surrounding areas. 

Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.
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Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
The seven day precipitation forecast calls for little if any rainfall accumulations. 
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Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook.
Forecasts indicate flash drought conditions are likely to develop across portions of the state.

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Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Above normal temperatures, are forecast for October.
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Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Through the end of the year, drought condition improvements are expected across much of the state. 
Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook 
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