All of Columbia County, along with parts of Hempstead, Lafayette, Nevada, Ouachita, and Union Counties, are considered “abnormally dry” according to the United States Drought Monitor Oct. 27 report for Arkansas.
The term “abnormally dry” is used for areas showing dryness, but not yet in drought, or for areas recovering from drought.
A part of Miller county is in “severe drought” status; however, the larger part of Miller County is in “moderate drought” status. Parts of Lafayette, Union, Hempstead, Nevada, and Ouachia Counties are considered in “moderate drought” status.
According to the Drought Monitor, dry, hot conditions across the central and southern United States resulted in drought conditions continuing to rapidly intensify from the Delta to the Southeast.
The National Weather Service Office in Shreveport, La., predicts no rain for the remainder of the week and weekend. However, residents in the southern area of Nevada County reported a slight rainfall Wednesday night.
Today’s forecast is for mostly sunny skies, with a high near 81 degrees. Tonight, skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 57 degrees.
Friday’s forecast is much of the same, with a high of near 83 and a low Friday night of around 60.
For the weekend, sunny skies are predicted for the day along with mostly clear skies at night.e
According to the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Columbia, Hempstead, Lafayette, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Union, and Calhoun Counties are all considered in “moderate wildfire danger.” Hempstead County is the only area county to be under a burn ban at this time.