More than 60 percent of Arkansas is considered to be in some form of a drought, and with a rain-free forecast for the next week, meteorologists say the state is on the brink of a "flash drought."
A flash drought occurs when warm, dry conditions and evaporating soil moisture happen quickly over the same period.
The U.S. Drought Monitor, an agency based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that compiles weekly drought information across the country, said conditions in Arkansas are deteriorating rapidly.
According to the monitor, 60.43 percent of the state is considered to be "abnormally dry," meaning the area’s rainfall is 1 to 2 inches less than average for a 30-day period.
A week earlier, only 5 percent was in drought.
The flash-drought conditions mirror a similar drought that occurred in Arkansas last year in late September and October.
The worst drought in the United States is in Montana where 94 percent of the state is considered to be in some form of drought, including 18 percent deemed "exceptional drought," meaning rainfall over a 30-day period is 5 inches or more below average.
Lafayette County Judge Mike Rowe said he expects to issue a burn ban for his county soon unless it rains.
"Three weeks from now, if it’s still as dry as it is now, we will get concerned."
Conditions are expected to remain dry through Tuesday, the Weather Service said.