Drought conditions plague Arkansas

John Robinson sent this item out this morning. Those of us who are obsessed with bad thunderstorms are dismayed.

This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor, released this morning, shows a substantial deterioration in conditions over Arkansas.

Last week’s drought monitor map and this week’s map are attached.  The yellow-shaded areas are D0 (“D zero”), which is classified as “abnormally dry.”  The tan areas are D1, “moderate drought.”

As of a week ago, D0 covered 24.56% of Arkansas; this week, it has increased to 94.41%.  A week ago, D1 covered 1.53% of the state; this week, it has increased to 11.63%.

Without widespread rain, these numbers will likely continue to worsen, especially considering the above-normal temperatures we have been experienced.

The current outlook for June, as well as the summer months (June-July-August),  indicates a trend toward above-normal temperatures.  The outlook for precipitation for June, as well as the summer months, indicates “equal chances,” meaning chances are 33% for below-normal rainfall, 33% for near-normal rainfall, and 33% for above-normal rainfall.

In the summer, tropical weather systems moving out of the Gulf of Mexico can bring substantial, widespread rains to Arkansas.  However, even though the Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, tropical weather systems usually do not affect Arkansas until August or September.

John Robinson

Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service, Little Rock

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