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| Abnormally Dry Conditions |
| At times, below normal precipitation will lead to a lack of ground water and worsening drought conditions in Arkansas. Check out the latest conditions below. |
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Monitoring Drought in Arkansas |
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| Drought Status |
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A moderate drought (D1) was ongoing in southern, central, and eastern Arkansas to end December. Next Page Update: January 16, 2025
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| Drought Conditions (Percent Area) |
| Category |
Coverage |
| None |
61.31% |
| D0-D4 |
38.69% |
| D1-D4 |
8.56% |
| D2-D4 |
0% |
| D3-D4 |
0% |
| D4 |
0% |
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| In the picture: There were moderate drought (D1) conditions in southern, central, and eastern Arkansas on 12/31/2024. |
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| In the picture: Drought conditions as of 12/31/2024. |
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Across the country, the worst drought conditions (at least D3) were in the Desert Southwest, Rockies, Plains, Tennessee Valley, and parts of the Northeast.
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| In the picture: Precipitation across Arkansas in December, 2024. |
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Here at home in December, rain was a little below average in far northwest Arkansas. There was more rain than usual (by one to more than three inches) across the remainder of the state.
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| Precipitation in December, 2024 |
| Site |
Amount |
Normal |
+/- |
% of Normal |
| Fayetteville (NW AR) |
2.87 |
3.07 |
-0.20 |
93% |
| Harrison (NC AR) |
3.97 |
2.94 |
+1.03 |
135% |
| Jonesboro (NE AR) |
6.90 |
4.45 |
+2.45 |
155% |
| Fort Smith (WC AR) |
4.43 |
3.48 |
+0.95 |
127% |
| Little Rock (C AR) |
6.29 |
5.08 |
+1.21 |
124% |
| West Memphis (EC AR) |
5.86 |
4.88 |
+0.98 |
120% |
| Texarkana (SW AR) |
7.84 |
4.68 |
+3.16 |
168% |
| El Dorado (SC AR) |
8.17 |
5.61 |
+2.56 |
146% |
| Pine Bluff (SE AR) |
7.58 |
5.30 |
+2.28 |
143% |
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In November, rainfall was well above average (by five to more than ten inches) across the northern and western counties, and one to more than two inches subpar farther south/east.
There was a deluge in the north/west during the first week of the month. Ten to fifteen inches of rain dumped in portions of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and in the Arkansas River Valley west of Russellville (Pope County). At Harrison (Boone County), 12.37 inches of liquid was measured from November 3rd to the 5th, making this the wettest three day period on record locally. This followed a record dry ninety one day stretch from August 1st through October 30th (2.55 inches).
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| In the picture: While heavy rain brought relief to portions of northern and western Arkansas, a lack of rain farther south and east resulted in rainfall deficits over four inches in a ninety day period ending on 12/31/2024. |
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In October, umbrellas were not needed much until a cold front brought widespread showers from the Plains on the 31st. Before the rain, temperatures were well above average at times (including record breaking readings), and afternoon humidity levels were low (sometimes less than 20 percent). At one time, burn bans were posted in 66 (of 75) counties, and all of these counties had a high to extreme wildfire danger (according to the Arkansas Forestry Division). Agricultural disasters were declared in multiple counties.
While drought relief was realized in the north/west, this was not the case across much of southern, central, and eastern Arkansas. Ninety day rainfall deficits were more than four inches, and drought was persisting.
In 2024, conditions were more wet than dry in most counties. Precipitation was more than two inches below average at Fayetteville (Washington County) and West Memphis (Crittenden County), and over four inches above average at El Dorado (Union County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), Harrison (Boone County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), and Texarkana (Miller County).
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| Precipitation in 2024 |
| Site |
Amount |
Normal |
+/- |
% of Normal |
| Fayetteville (NW AR) |
44.65 |
46.96 |
-2.31 |
95% |
| Harrison (NC AR) |
48.92 |
44.50 |
+4.42 |
110% |
| Jonesboro (NE AR) |
49.51 |
48.51 |
+1.00 |
102% |
| Fort Smith (WC AR) |
55.94 |
47.34 |
+8.60 |
118% |
| Little Rock (C AR) |
58.42 |
50.42 |
+8.00 |
116% |
| West Memphis (EC AR) |
46.08 |
50.40 |
-4.32 |
91% |
| Texarkana (SW AR) |
56.57 |
48.87 |
+7.70 |
116% |
| El Dorado (SC AR) |
58.49 |
52.12 |
+6.37 |
112% |
| Pine Bluff (SE AR) |
49.19 |
50.81 |
-1.62 |
97% |
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| In the pictures: Drought outlook through March, 2025. |
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Looking ahead, a weak La Niña (cooler than normal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean) will likely emerge and continue through the winter. As this happens, precipitation should become more appreciable as the period progresses. This may not only put a dent in the drought, it could end the drought. We will monitor the situation closely.
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| Streamflow and Soil Moisture |
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