Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid December 22, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Dec 30, 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 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. 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): bounds the D1 area from western Pasco county south through Charlotte and Lee counties. 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 19, there was improvement (light green area) along the Nature Coast, while further south from around Tampa Bay southward there was no change. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1 to December 21, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to December 21, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 36.46 48.62 -12.16 75% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *30.39 52.66 -22.27 58% St Petersburg Area SPG: 32.74 45.84 -13.10 71% NWS Ruskin TBW: 32.52 52.71 -20.19 62% Winter Haven Area GIF: 46.02 45.27 +0.75 102% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 26.63 48.24 -21.61 55% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **46.66 56.80 -10.14 82% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 43.88 52.91 -9.03 83% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 51.22 56.01 -4.79 91% Plant City PLCF1: 50.94 55.27 -4.33 92% Lakeland LLDF1: 49.98 55.97 -5.99 89% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 43.63 55.49 -11.86 79% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 43.03 51.31 -8.28 84% Venice VNCF1: 29.16 50.48 -21.32 58% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 58.67 53.61 +5.06 109% *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 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 Inverness 3 SE INVF1: 40.13 49.91 -9.78 80% 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! Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Widespread rainfall this past weekend allowed rivers and streams across west central and southwest Florida to return to or above climatological normal for this time of year. 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 21, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Widespread soaking rain fell last weekend with amounts ranging from around an inch south to over 5 inches north. This has led to moist surface conditions with normal to above normal streamflows across the area. 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. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall during the next week is forecast to range from about a 0.10 to 0.25 inch southern interior to maybe an 1 inch north, with isolated higher totals. 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 are 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 January through March. Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook through March The outlook for wetter than normal weather during this winter should ease Drought conditions.