Drought in Louisiana, February 17 to 28, 2026

Severe drought conditions (D2 D3) developed and intensified across portions of the New Orleans/Baton Rouge WFO area during February 2026, driven by persistent precipitation deficits and limited meaningful rainfall events. Early in the month, only isolated areas of severe drought (D2) were present across the northwestern parts of the region, but conditions steadily worsened as rainfall remained below normal, with precipitation deficits of roughly 2 to 4 inches observed across much of the region by the end of February. As a result, D2 drought expanded significantly across southern and southwestern portions of the forecast area, while pockets of extreme drought (D3) developed, particularly near coastal Louisiana. By late February, over 30 percent of the area was classified in D2 drought and more than 10 percent in D3, reflecting a rapid degradation in soil moisture and hydrologic conditions. The expansion of drought was most pronounced south of the Interstate 10 corridor, while areas farther north experienced more gradual degradation, generally remaining in D0 to D1 conditions.