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
Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 7am EST November 21.
Extreme and Severe Drought continue in southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and the inland Florida Panhandle.

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, Liberty, Calhoun, Bay, and Gulf Counties in Florida as well as Dixie County in the Big Bend
D0: (Abnormally Dry): nearly the rest of the forecast area.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Gulf and Liberty Counties

Drought Improved: south Walton and small parts of southeast Alabama

No Change: the rest of the forecast area


Precipitation
We’re slowly chipping away at longer term deficits in southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
However, short term deficits are growing in southwest Georgia and the Florida Big Bend.


Image Captions: 
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
69.68%
8.99
87.96%
14.19
79.63%
Albany
2.40
57.83%
4.93
65.56%
9.43
76.36%
Valdosta
3.22
60.64%
7.62
79.96%
18.59
126.98%
Dothan
4.54
86.97%
7.15
84.22%
9.65
65.83%
Panama City
3.41
54.21%
7.84
69.01%
10.59
57.27%
Marianna
2.66
49.08%
7.33
77.32%
9.47
65.72%
DeFuniak Springs*
2.66
47.19%
3.39
32.45%
6.91
41.55%
Geneva
2.92
42.69%
3.86
32.22%
4.92
28.26%
Quincy*
3.54
54.88%
6.25
49.84%
10.87
58.47%
Arlington*
3.34
70.08%
4.08
47.70%
6.61
45.91%
Attapulgus*
4.08
85.56%
5.43
60.04%
10.65
67.88%
Georgetown*
4.14
82.34%
7.53
82.71%
11.73
79.26%
*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
None reported at this time.

Fire Hazard Impacts
The No Burn Order and Fire Alert have been rescinded for our Alabama counties.
There are no burn bans currently in effect for our Florida or Georgia counties.

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
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map valid November 22, 2023
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.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Very little rainfall is expected over the next 7 days.
We continue to slowly chip away at the drought across the western Panhandle and southeast Alabama, but deficits continue to grow especially in the eastern parts of the area.

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”