Issued By: WFO Mobile/Pensacola Contact Information: sr-mob.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated December 31, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit weather.gov/mob/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. DROUGHT MAINTAINS A FIRM GRIP OVER THE DEEP SOUTH Extreme drought holds for a small portion of the interior southeast MS, southwest AL state borders. Severe drought is more extensive over the interior. Drought Information Statement for southeast MS, southwest AL, and the western FL Panhandle Valid 12/3/2024 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): A small section of western Washington Co. in AL into central Greene Co. in MS. D2 (Severe Drought): Much of the remainder of the interior of south central and southwest AL. Eastern portions of interior southeast MS and western Mobile Co. D1 (Moderate Drought): Along the western FL Panhandle and southwest AL border. DO (Abnormally Dry): Coastal Baldwin Co. in AL, eastward to coastal Okaloosa Co. in FL. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: No Change: Much of the local area saw no change in drought intensity over the past week. Precipitation Over the past 30 days, the coastal counties have seen normal to above normal rainfall with southern portions of Baldwin Co. AL, eastward to southern portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa Co’s in FL seeing the higher footprint of 150 to 200% of normal rainfall. The interior continues to reflect short of normal rainfall over the past 30 days. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts The US Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that flow and stage on many local area river and stream points remain below to much below normal. Rivers and streams that are experiencing below normal stages, may result in typically deeply submerged objects being likely closer to the water’s surface or in some cases exposed, presenting a waterway hazard for safe recreational boating and commercial navigation. Agricultural Impacts The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that MS, AL, and FL statewide topsoil moisture remains at dry levels against the 5 and 10 year means for this time of year. Crop condition in the driest of areas is very poor. Crop disease and insect damage elevated. Pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Fire Hazard Impacts The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise ID calls for December to be at above normal risk for wildfire for MS, AL and the western FL Panhandle. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged until conditions improve. Mitigation Actions Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas. Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Local water restriction ordinances may be in place. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Many local area rivers and streams are running below to much below normal in flow and stage. To view the most current stages and flow for each state’s, stream and river points, please visit: MS: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ms&m=real AL: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=al&m=real FL: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=fl&m=real Agricultural Impacts Crop condition in the driest of areas is very poor. Crop disease and insect damage elevated. Pasture lands provide little to no livestock feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Considering the state-wide top soil moisture metrics, MS, AL and FL remain dry versus the 5 year means: (Upper 6” Moisture Depth, courtesy of USDA 11/24/24). - MS: 32% Short to Very Short (Avg: 29.8%). - AL: 48% Short to Very Short (Avg: 36.0%). - FL: 40% Short to Very Short (Avg: 19.8%). It is recommended that farmers reach out to local USDA office for details on available funding assistance. Fire Hazard Impacts The National Interagency Fire Center out of Boise, ID has outlooked the month of December for MS, AL and the western FL Panhandle as above normal for wildfire risk. Decayed timber and very dry underbrush in area forests along with dry grasslands pose an above normal risk for development and spread of fire. It’s also important to note that in the event of strong cold frontal passages, periods of critically low daytime humidity in combination with gusty northerly winds will bring periods of increased wildfire potential. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Precipitation forecast amounts through December 9th range from 0.50” to 1.25” west of a line from Coffeeville to Mobile AL. East of this line, rainfall amounts total a half inch or less. Long-Range Outlooks Equal chances of above or below normal temperatures and precipitation are favored during the month of December for the central Gulf coast. Drought Outlook The seasonal drought outlook to close out 2024 and opening up the new year 2025 favors drought to persist over a large portion of the central Gulf coast.