Drought — Clay, Mississippi

2023-10-01 to 2023-10-31 · Clay, Mississippi

Event narrative

Drought conditions in Clay County intensified from D1 (Moderate Drought) to D2 (Severe Drought) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Wider weather episode

The combined effects of persistent above-normal temperatures and minimal precipitation starting in early July 2023 resulted in mounting drought impacts across much of the state of Mississippi. Through the month of October, D2 (Severe Drought) and D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions, as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor, expanded from southern and central areas to also affect northern Mississippi. D4 (Exceptional Drought) conditions expanded farther across central and southwestern portions of the state including most areas encompassed by a loop from Vicksburg to Kosciusko to Philadelphia to Columbia. Average temperatures for the month especially in the most impacted areas ranged from 2 to 4 degrees F above normal, and several daily temperature records were set. Observed precipitation values across a vast majority of the state were less than 25 percent of normal. In southeastern Mississippi where around 2 to 3 inches of rain fell during the month - about 70 percent of normal - average temperatures were about 1 degree below normal. Soil moisture values continued to worsen through the month, with subsoil moisture values between 25 to 50 percent below normal for much of the affected area. This placed a severe stress on pastures for livestock and reduced the yield from row crops to end the growing season. Pine plantations and Christmas tree farms experienced severe losses especially among younger trees. Streamflows on creeks and rivers were reduced.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1146456. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.