Drought in Catahoula, Louisiana

Drought conditions in Catahoula Parish intensified from D3 (Extreme Drought) to D4 (Exceptional 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 central and northeast Louisiana. Through the month of September, D2 (Severe Drought) and D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions expanded to affect Franklin, Tensas, Richland, Madison, Morehouse, West Carroll, and East Carroll Parishes as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions worsened to D4 (Exceptional Drought) conditions across Catahoula and Concordia Parishes. Average temperatures for the month ranged from 2 to 4 degrees F above normal, and several daily temperature records were set especially late in the month. 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 between 10 to 30 percent below normal for 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.