Drought Information Statement for Southeast AL, Southwest GA, and the FL Panhandle & Big Bend 
Valid November 16, 2023
Issued By: WFO Tallahassee, FL
Contact Information: kelly.godsey@noaa.gov, cameron.young@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated November 22, 2023 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/tae/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 

U.S. Drought Monitor
Extreme and Severe Drought continue expanding eastward across parts of south Georgia.

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Generally between I-10 and US 84 in southeast Alabama, far southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle
D2 (Severe Drought): The remainder of southeast Alabama, much of southwest Georgia, and southern Walton, western Bay, Washington, and Jackson Counties in Florida
D1 (Moderate Drought): most of south central Georgia into Gadsden, Calhoun, and Bay Counties in Florida as well as Dixie County in the Big Bend
D0: (Abnormally Dry): nearly the rest of the forecast area.
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for southeast AL, southwest GA, and the FL Panhandle & Big Bend

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: parts of south central and southwest Georgia

No Change: The rest of the forecast area

Drought Improved: N/A


Precipitation
Prior to Tuesday’s & Wednesday’s rain, most of the area had not seen rain in nearly a month.
However, the rain has done little to improve drought conditions (and is not factored into this week’s analysis.


Note: Precipitation after 7 AM EST/6 AM CST Tuesday is incorporated in next week’s Drought Monitor 
Since October 1
Since September 1
Since August 1
Rainfall
% Normal
Rainfall
% Normal
Rainall
% Normal
Tallahassee
3.70
77.73%
8.99
92.97%
14.19
82.17%
Albany
1.74
47.80%
4.27
60.91%
8.77
74.07%
Valdosta
3.22
66.26%
7.62
83.92%
18.59
131.01%
Dothan
3.20
70.48%
5.81
74.39%
8.31
59.44%
Panama City
2.81
51.00%
7.24
68.43%
9.99
56.41%
Marianna
2.04
42.68%
6.71
75.90%
8.85
64.27%
DeFuniak Springs*
2.30
45.72%
3.03
30.79%
6.55
40.88%
Geneva
2.92
48.67%
3.86
34.65%
4.92
29.69%
Quincy*
3.37
57.61%
6.08
50.92%
10.70
59.48%
Arlington*
2.55
59.32%
3.29
40.69%
5.82
41.78%
Attapulgus*
3.63
85.20%
4.98
58.34%
10.20
67.19%
Georgetown*
3.59
80.30%
6.98
81.67%
11.18
78.50%
*Rainfall data from UF FAWN or UGA Mesonet Sites


Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Many rivers along and west of the Ochlockonee and ACF basins are running below to well-below normal in terms of streamflow
Record low streamflows continue along the Shoal River at Mossy Head.

Agricultural Impacts
Continued yield reductions in cotton and peanut crops.
Cattle are being fed with supplemental hay.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Alabama’s governor has issued a No Burn Order for the entire state of Alabama.
Washington County remains under a burn ban.

Other Impacts
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Office of Water Resources (ADECA OWR) has declared a Drought Warning for Geneva, Coffee, Dale, and Houston Counties and a Drought Watch for Henry County. The declaration can be found here.

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Most rivers along and west of the Ochlockonee and ACF basins are below to well-below average streamflows.
Streamflows for the Shoal River at Mossy Head and remain the lowest on record for this time of year.
Recent rainfall has led to a slight bump up in some streamflows, but it hasn’t done much.

Fire Hazard Impacts
KBDI values have dropped across the area, though still much of southwest GA, southeast AL, and the Florida Panhandle and southeast Big Bend are at or above 500 (some pockets above 600.
Wildfire potential remains above normal for Alabama the rest of this month, but decreases to normal for December

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Another cold front could bring another shot at rain early next week. Rainfall totals of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible with some locally higher amounts.
However, rainfall totals this light will only slowly chip away at any drought concerns.

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
The December outlook favors above normal temperatures and above normal rainfall.
A typical El Niño winter setup should take hold with more systems moving across our area.

Average December Temperature
Average December Rainfall
Tallahassee
54.4°
4.24”
Apalachicola
56.5°
3.59”
Cross City
56.3°
2.95”
Albany
52.7°
4.35”
Valdosta
53.2°
3.12”
Marianna
53.9°
4.81”
Dothan
53.1°
4.76”

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
With the wetter than normal pattern likely this winter across our area, the latest seasonal outlook shows that drought is likely to end during the winter months.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released November 16, 2023 valid for November 16, 2023 through February 29, 2024