Drought — Catahoula, Louisiana

2023-11-01 to 2023-11-30 · Catahoula, Louisiana

Event narrative

Drought conditions in Catahoula Parish remained at mostly D4 (Exceptional Drought) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor, but some improvement was noted along the US Highway 84 corridor due to heavy rainfall.

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 portions of central and northeast Louisiana. Through the month of November, D2 (Severe Drought) to D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor continued across areas north of Interstate 20. D4 (Exceptional Drought) Conditions continued to encompass areas along and south of the Interstate, although some improvement was noted around the US Highway 84 corridor due to heavy rainfall. Average temperatures for the month were about 1 F above normal. Observed precipitation values ranged from 25 to 75 percent of normal for the month. Soil moisture anomalies improved some during the month, with subsoil moisture values between 10 to 30 percent below normal being common across the area by month's end. These conditions placed a severe stress on pastures for livestock and croplands at the end of the growing season. Streamflows on creeks and rivers were reduced.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1149702. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.