Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid December 15, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Dec 23, 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. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest 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. However, little change has occurred across the western Florida peninsula. 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, western Hillsborough, and inland portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties D1 (Moderate Drought): bounds the D2 area from western Pasco county and extends south along coastal Charlotte and Lee counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): extends from western Levy county south along the coastal nature coast, and bounds the remaining D1 region to the south. 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 December 12, there was no change across west central and southwest Florida. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1 to December 14, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to December 14, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 33.50 47.97 -14.47 70% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *28.77 51.94 -23.17 55% St Petersburg Area SPG: 30.90 45.24 -14.34 68% NWS Ruskin TBW: 30.67 52.07 -21.40 59% Winter Haven Area GIF: 44.34 44.60 -0.26 99% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 24.13 47.66 -23.53 51% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **45.02 56.36 -11.34 80% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 42.47 52.53 -10.06 81% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 43.87 55.21 -11.34 79% Plant City PLCF1: 49.10 54.64 -5.54 90% Lakeland LLDF1: 48.38 55.34 -6.96 87% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 41.63 54.96 -13.33 76% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 41.03 50.80 -9.77 81% Venice VNCF1: 26.67 49.93 -23.26 53% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 57.12 53.13 +3.99 108% *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 November 30, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal St Leo STLF1: 43.14 50.93 -7.79 85% Bartow BARF1: 45.39 48.72 -3.33 93% Mountain Lake LWLF1: 40.12 50.32 -10.20 80% Myakka River State Pk MKCF1: 44.85 58.56 -13.71 77% Desoto City 8 SW DSOF1: 56.65 50.28 +6.37 113% NWS Ruskin, Sarasota-Bradenton Area, and Venice are continuing to have their Driest Year-to-Date! Temperature SUMMER TEMPERATURE RANKINGS (°F): Summer 2023 Normal Dep fm Records Location Ranking Avg Temp Temp Normal Began Plant City 1st Warmest 86.6° 83.2° +3.4° Sep 1892 Tampa Area 2nd Warmest 85.6° 83.6° +2.0° Apr 1890 Fort Myers Area 2nd Warmest 85.2° 83.0° +2.2° Jan 1902 Venice 2nd Warmest 85.2° 82.5° +2.7° May 1955 St Petersburg Area 3rd Warmest 85.1° 83.5° +1.6° Aug 1914 Sarasota-Bradenton Area 1st Warmest 85.0° 82.8° +2.2° Jan 1911 Punta Gorda Area 1st Warmest 84.7° 82.8° +1.9° May 1914 Lakeland Area 1st Warmest(tie) 84.6° 82.8° +1.8° Jan 1915 Winter Haven Area 8th Warmest 84.0° 83.8° +0.2° Mar 1941 Bartow 6th Warmest 83.5° 81.9° +1.6° Jun 1892 Brooksville Area 2nd Warmest 83.0° 80.9° +2.1° Jan 1892 St. Leo 8th Warmest(tie) 82.8° 81.0° +1.8° Apr 1895 Archbold Bio Stn 3rd Warmest 82.6° 81.4° +1.2° Jan 1969 Temperatures have average about 1° to 3° above normal this summer (June/July/August) setting new records for the Warmest Summer in some locations. Table of Average Summer Temperatures (°F) for Select Locations - June 1 to August 31, 2023 Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Rainfall this past Sunday allowed several fast responding rivers and streams across west central Florida to return to climatological normal. The Withlacoochee, Little Manatee, and Myakka rivers are running in the lowest 20th percentile which is more indicative of the overall hydrologic state across the region. 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 December 14, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Generally a quarter inch to one inch of rain fell across the region this past week, with pockets of slightly higher totals. Overall, dry surface conditions persist. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is in the lowest 30th percentile across portions of the region. Fire Hazard Impacts No burn bans are currently in effect across the region. Latest FL Burn Ban map available here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall during the next week is expected to generally range from about 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher totals. Most of this rain is expected to fall during the weekend. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. No impacts expected. Long-Range Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Above normal temperatures and precipitation are favored across the Florida peninsula during 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 The outlook for wetter than normal weather during the upcoming winter should ease Drought conditions. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook