Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid January 19, 2024 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This will be the last issuance of this product until D3 (Extreme Drought) returns to parts of the NWS Tampa Bay forecast area. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/tbw/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor There has been improvement to drought conditions across the southeast U.S. and Florida peninsula during the past few weeks, with drought removed from the Florida Panhandle, and a one to two category improvement for west central Florida. U.S. Drought Monitor for WFO Tampa Bay Area Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Florida Drought intensity and Extent D1 (Moderate Drought): along the coast from central Pinellas county and southwest Hillsborough south through Manatee county into central Sarasota county. D0: (Abnormally Dry): bounds the D1 area from southwestern Pasco county south to coastal Manatee and Sarasota counties. In the last week ending Tuesday January 16, there was a one to two category improvement across west central Florida with the exception of extreme coastal Manatee and Sarasota counties. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 19, 2023 to January 18, 2024 Precipitation - Last 12 months The following table gives the rainfall from January 19, 2023 to January 18, 2024: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 38.90 49.48 -10.58 79% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *33.32 53.62 -20.30 62% St Petersburg Area SPG: 36.77 46.65 -9.88 79% NWS Ruskin TBW: 34.88 53.59 -18.71 65% Winter Haven Area GIF: 48.31 46.12 +2.19 105% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 30.39 49.05 -18.66 62% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **53.61 57.41 -3.80 93% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 51.63 57.10 -5.47 90% Plant City PLCF1: 53.35 56.11 -2.76 95% Lakeland LLDF1: 52.15 56.82 -4.67 92% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 48.31 56.28 -7.97 86% Venice VNCF1: 34.22 51.27 -17.05 67% *Rainfall missing on August 20, 2023. Radar estimate of 0.50 inches included in this total **Rainfall missing on June 2, 2023. Radar estimate of 1.90 inches included in this total The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Inverness 3 SE INVF1: 45.21 52.39 -7.18 86% St Leo STLF1: 47.21 53.46 -6.25 88% Bartow BARF1: 47.92 50.88 -2.96 94% Mountain Lake LWLF1: 42.56 52.77 -10.21 81% Myakka River State Pk MKCF1: 47.62 61.07 -13.45 78% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 43.63 52.00 -8.37 84% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 60.94 54.23 +6.71 112% 2023 was the Driest Year on record at Sarasota-Bradenton Area and NWS Ruskin! Venice had its 2nd Driest Year Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Widespread rainfall this past week allowed rivers and streams across west central and southwest Florida to maintain levels near to above climatological normal. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Water conservation techniques are strongly encouraged in drought areas. One day a week watering restrictions are in effect for Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, along with Cape Coral and unincorporated Lee county. Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Local water restriction ordinances may be in place. USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid January 17, 2024 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall during the past week was generally 1 to 2 inches north of the Manatee/Polk county lines, and 2 to 4 inches to the south. A band of 6 to 8 inches occurred across northern Lee county. Streamflows are running near to above normal across the region. Agricultural Impacts With the recent rainfall, soil moisture has climbed to above climatologically normal levels across much of the region. Fire Hazard Impacts No burn bans are currently in effect across the region. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall during the next week is forecast to generally range from about a 0.10 to 0.25 inch across west central and southwest Florida. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook No impacts expected. Long-Range Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Near normal temperatures are forecast for February. Above normal precipitation is likely across the Florida peninsula during the month of February. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Long-Range Seasonal Outlook Near normal temperatures are forecast for February through April. Above normal precipitation is likely during the period February through April. Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook through April The outlook for wetter than normal weather during this winter should continue to ease Drought conditions.