Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid November 18, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Nov 25, 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/tbw/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought conditions have been degrading over the southeast U.S. during the past several weeks. U.S. Drought Monitor for WFO Tampa Bay Area Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Florida 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, southwestern Hillsborough, and inland portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties D1 (Moderate Drought): extends from western Pasco county to eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties, and south along the coast of Charlotte and Lee counties. Also over a very small portion of northern Levy county. D0: (Abnormally Dry): extends across much of the nature coast, northeast Hillsborough counties, and an area that bounds the remaining D1 region. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 1-week change map for Florida One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. In the last week, ending Tuesday November 14th, there was no change in the overall drought conditions. With the recent rainfall though there is hope for some improvement next week. However, even with the recent rainfall areas near the coast from southwest Hillsborough southward through Manatee and Sarasota counties are continuing to see their driest year-to-date since records began. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1 to November 17, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to November 17, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 31.32 46.28 -14.96 68% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *27.39 49.96 -22.57 55% St Petersburg Area SPG: 29.63 43.64 -14.01 68% NWS Ruskin TBW: 29.70 50.19 -20.49 59% Winter Haven Area GIF: 43.30 42.83 +0.47 101% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 23.21 45.97 -22.76 50% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **44.80 54.86 -10.06 82% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 42.30 51.13 -8.83 83% Plant City PLCF1: 47.94 52.83 -4.89 91% Lakeland LLDF1: 47.04 53.40 -6.36 88% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 40.58 53.32 -12.74 76% Venice VNCF1: 26.27 48.36 -22.09 54% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 56.20 51.52 +4.68 109% *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 NWS Ruskin, Sarasota-Bradenton Area and Venice are continuing to have their Driest Year-to-Date! The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 42.11 51.63 -9.52 82% St Leo STLF1: 40.76 49.07 -8.31 83% Bartow BARF1: 43.75 47.23 -3.48 93% Mountain Lake LWLF1: 39.16 48.50 -9.34 81% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 38.37 47.91 -9.54 80% Desoto City 8 SW DSOF1: 55.04 48.47 +6.57 114% Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts There were a few areas in southwest Florida and the interior that saw decent rainfall over an inch during the last week ending November 14th, but generally less than a tenth of an inch of rain fell in most locations. Rivers across the region didn’t change much, but with the recent rainfall have improved some. Many rivers and creeks from Hillsborough county north are in the lowest 25th percentile. 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 will be in effect for Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties starting Dec 1, 2023. 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 November 17, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Some decent rain fell over the past few days across southwest Florida and the interior which has caused rivers/streams to rise to above climatological normals in these areas. Elsewhere across the region, rivers are running near to below climatological normal. Many rivers and creeks from Hillsborough county north remain in the lowest 25th percentile. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Very little rainfall is forecast through next week with amounts generally less than 0.10 inch. Long-Range Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Above normal temperatures and precipitation are favored for the Florida peninsula for the month of December. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Long-Range Seasonal Outlook Equal chances of above, below, and near normal temperatures are forecast for December through February. Above normal precipitation is likely during December through February. Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook through February Drought conditions are expected to end as we move through winter.