Drought in Marion, Mississippi

Drought conditions in Marion County intensified from D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D3 (Extreme Drought) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The combined effects of persistent above-normal temperatures and minimal precipitation starting in early July 2023 resulted in mounting drought impacts across portions of southwest and southern Mississippi. Through the month of August, D2 (Severe Drought) conditions, as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor, were common across areas generally from south and west of a line from Claiborne County through Marion County. Average temperatures for the month of August in the area ranged from 4 to 8 degrees F above normal, and were generally the warmest on record with many daily temperature records also set. Observed precipitation values ranged from 50 percent of normal to lower than 25 percent of normal. Soil moisture values continued to worsen through the month, with subsoil moisture values dropping to between 20 to 30 percent below normal of much of the affected area. This placed a severe stress on pastures for livestock and began to reduce expected yield from row crops. Streamflows on creeks and rivers were reduced.