Drought in Hempstead, Arkansas

Severe (D2) drought conditions greatly expanded across Southwest Arkansas by the end of October. This was in response to a flash drought that resulted from an exceptionally hot and dry period during late summer, beginning in August with well below normal rainfall and an extended period of upper 90s to triple-digit high temperatures. The total rainfall amounts during this late summer period into the early fall were only near 25% of normal or less. This dryness contributed to lower than normal streamflow observed across area creeks and streams at the end of the month.