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…
Every event with a place to put it; 7 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LIX wrote it up.
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.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
11 drought. Local standard time, as filed.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of St. James Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of St. John the Baptist Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of St. Charles Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of St. Bernard Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of St. Bernard Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Jefferson Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Jefferson Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Jefferson Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Plaquemines Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Plaquemines Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
Prolonged D2 drought persisted in portions of Plaquemines Parish from February 24th through the end of the month according to the US Drought Monitor.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Louisiana in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Louisiana, February 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1320058, 1320059, 1320060, 1320061, 1320062, 1320063, 1320064, 1320065, 1320066, 1320067, 1320068.