Drought in Hempstead, Arkansas

An extended period of below normal rainfall coupled with much above normal temperatures from Fall 2025 into Winter 2026 led to the development of severe (D2) drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor across Hempstead and Nevada Counties in Southwest Arkansas by late March. Rainfall amounts during March only averaged around 2 inches, which was less than half of the normal amount of rainfall for the month. Coupled with the consistently below normal rain observed since Fall 2025, considerable hardships from area agricultural producers continued, as pastures had become dormant early, forcing farmers to provide hay and other supplemental feed much earlier than normal, as well as water as multiple ponds had dried up. An increase in wildfires also persisted, with the above normal temperatures continuing the drying of fuels. Streamflow from area creeks and bayous also fell below to much below normal as well. As a result, severe (D2) drought expanded across more of Southwest Arkansas by the end of the month.