Weather
Arkansas Drought Worsens as Soil Moisture Hits Critical Lows
Little Rock, AR – Drought conditions continue to tighten their grip on Arkansas, with new data from the National Weather Service NWS showing that 92 percent…
By Claire Benton · 2026-09-16T19:15:12.574Z
Little Rock, AR – Drought conditions continue to tighten their grip on Arkansas, with new data from the National Weather Service NWS showing that 92 percent of the state is experiencing moderate drought or worse. The environmental strain began in the fall of 2025 and has been exacerbated by a prolonged lack of significant rainfall.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, while June provided some temporary relief, rainfall deficits have continued to climb throughout the state. Soil moisture levels are currently at 50 percent or lower in the majority of the state, with many areas measuring at or below 30 percent, with the notable exception of regions that recently received sporadic rainfall.
The long term forecast offers little hope for immediate improvement. With no substantial rainfall expected in the near future and temperatures forecasted in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees through early next week, officials anticipate that drought conditions and soil moisture depletion will continue to worsen.
Analysis indicates that the entire state is near or over 10 inches behind on the rainfall needed to alleviate the current crisis. Many regions require an additional 12 to 16 inches of precipitation to exit the drought category. State officials continue to monitor the situation as conditions remain critical for agriculture and natural resources.
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