Memphis, TN – Drought conditions across the Mid-South are worsening this week as forecasters warn no significant rainfall is expected for at least the next seven days.
According to the National Weather Service in Memphis, portions of northeast Arkansas, northwest Tennessee, and the Missouri Bootheel remain in extreme drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows large areas outside the extreme zone are experiencing either severe or moderate drought.
While recent rainfall brought slight short-term relief, officials say it was not enough to make a lasting impact. “Sadly, no appreciable rainfall is forecast over the next seven days or so,” the NWS Memphis office stated Friday. Without meaningful precipitation, conditions are expected to deteriorate further into early October.
The drought has broad implications for agriculture, water resources, and wildfire risk. Farmers in affected areas may face continued challenges with crop yields, while residents could see restrictions or advisories on water use if the trend persists.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly the entire region under some level of drought, with the most severe impacts concentrated in the northern tier of the Mid-South. Federal and state officials urge residents to stay alert for updates as worsening conditions may impact communities more directly in the weeks ahead.
For the latest drought updates, visit weather.gov/memphis or droughtmonitor.unl.edu.
