Meteorologist Louis Smith explains the latest drought conditions across the South

 ACCURATE FIRST WEATHER – SOUTHERN DROUGHT MONITOR UPDATE
 Meteorologist Louis Smith explains the latest drought conditions across the South:

The Southern United States saw a dramatic split in weather conditions this past week, with soaking Gulf Coast rainfall on one side and expanding drought concerns on the other.

 Gulf Coast Drenched With Heavy Rain

The heaviest rainfall fell across the central Gulf Coast, especially in portions of:

• Louisiana
• Southern Mississippi
• Nearby Gulf Coast communities

Many areas picked up 7 to over 9 inches of rain, which was an incredible 6 to 7.5 inches above normal for this time of year.

 Good News From The Rain

Thanks to the excessive rainfall:

• Moderate to Exceptional drought conditions (D1–D4) improved across parts of:
  • Eastern and southern Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Southern Tennessee
• Areas classified as “Abnormally Dry” (D0) also improved in:
  • Southern Louisiana
  • Portions of Texas

 Drought Worsening Elsewhere

While the Gulf Coast was soaked, much of the western and northern Southern Plains stayed very dry.

Rainfall deficits of 1.5 to 3 inches below normal developed across:

• Western Texas
• Oklahoma
• Much of the Tennessee Valley

 Areas Seeing Worsening Drought

• Exceptional drought (D4) was introduced in:
  • Southwest Oklahoma
  • The Texas Panhandle into northwest Oklahoma
• D4 drought also expanded in:
  • Parts of Arkansas
  • Northern Mississippi
• Extreme drought (D3) expanded across:
  • Northern Texas
  • Western Oklahoma

 Wild Temperature Swings Across The South

The South also experienced a major temperature divide this week.

 South Texas Stayed Hot

Southern Texas remained unusually warm with highs in the:

• 80s and 90s
• Up to 5°F above normal

 Late-Season Chill Elsewhere

Meanwhile, much of the central, eastern, and northern South experienced a rare late-spring cool spell.

Temperatures averaged:

• 5 to 10°F below normal
• Affecting large portions of:
  • Mississippi
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Tennessee
  • Louisiana

 Bottom Line:
The South remains stuck in a sharp weather contrast pattern — flooding rains and drought relief along the Gulf Coast, while worsening drought intensifies farther west and north. Accurate First Weather will continue monitoring rainfall trends, drought expansion, and temperature swings as we head deeper into May.