Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid January 6, 2024 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Jan 13, 2024 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/tbw/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor There has been improvement to drought conditions over portions of the southeast U.S. during the past few weeks, with drought removed from most of the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend. Improvement has also occurred across the southwest Florida peninsula. However, there’s been little change across the west central Florida peninsula as long term drought persists. U.S. Drought Monitor for WFO Tampa Bay Area Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): along the coast from central Pinellas county south through Manatee county into central Sarasota county. D2 (Severe Drought): bounded the D3 area across southwest Pasco, northern Pinellas, western Hillsborough, and inland portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties D1 (Moderate Drought): bounds the D2 area from western Pasco county and extends south to Sarasota county. D0: (Abnormally Dry): bounds the D1 area from western Pasco county south to coastal Charlotte and Lee counties. In the last week ending Tuesday January 2, there was no changes across west central and southwest Florida. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1, 2023 to January 5, 2024 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to January 5, 2024: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 37.43 49.88 -12.45 75% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *31.53 54.02 -22.49 58% St Petersburg Area SPG: 33.71 47.03 -13.32 72% NWS Ruskin TBW: 33.14 54.02 -20.88 61% Winter Haven Area GIF: 46.48 46.47 +0.01 100% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 27.14 49.53 -22.39 55% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **49.02 57.77 -8.75 85% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 44.91 53.68 -8.77 84% Plant City PLCF1: 51.57 56.61 -5.04 91% Lakeland LLDF1: 50.67 57.27 -6.60 88% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 44.42 56.69 -12.27 78% Venice VNCF1: 29.83 51.71 -21.88 58% *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 Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 50.41 57.10 -6.69 88% St Leo STLF1: 47.21 53.46 -6.25 88% Bartow BARF1: 47.92 50.88 -2.96 94% Myakka River State Pk MKCF1: 47.62 61.07 -13.45 78% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 43.63 52.00 -8.37 84% 2023 was the Driest Year on record at Sarasota-Bradenton Area and NWS Ruskin! Venice had its 2nd Driest Year Hydrologic Impacts Widespread rainfall this past week allowed rivers and streams across west central and southwest Florida have allowed rivers and streams to maintain at 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. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall during the past week generally ranged from 0.25 to 0.50 inches across the nature coast, with a stripe of 0.50 to 1 inch across the Tampa and Fort Myers areas. Streamflows are running near to above normal across the region. Agricultural Impacts With the recent rainfall, soil moisture has climbed back up into the normal to above range 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 range from about a 1.50 to 4 inches 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 Equal chances of above, below, and near normal temperatures are forecast for January. Above normal precipitation is likely across the Florida peninsula during the month of January. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Long-Range Seasonal Outlook Near normal temperatures are forecast for January through March. Above normal precipitation is likely during the period January through March. Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook through March The outlook for wetter than normal weather during this winter should ease Drought conditions.