Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid November 4, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Nov 11, 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 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 Northern Levy county remains in D0. 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 D0: (Abnormally Dry): extends from Citrus county across Pasco and northeast Hillsborough counties, and a small area that bounds the remainder 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 degradation has occurred across the central nature coast, Pinealls county, and extreme western Pasco and Hillsborough counties. 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 4, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to November 4, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 30.71 45.71 -15.00 67% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *26.45 49.29 -22.84 54% St Petersburg Area SPG: 28.49 43.02 -14.53 66% NWS Ruskin TBW: 28.38 49.31 -20.93 58% Winter Haven Area GIF: 41.63 42.21 -0.58 99% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 22.84 45.19 -22.35 51% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **41.87 54.04 -12.17 77% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 39.95 50.23 -10.28 80% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 42.11 51.94 -9.83 81% Plant City PLCF1: 45.40 52.09 -6.69 87% Lakeland LLDF1: 44.80 52.58 -7.78 85% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 39.64 52.50 -12.86 76% Venice VNCF1: 25.11 47.70 -22.59 53% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 55.84 50.76 +5.08 110% *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 October 31, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal 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% 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 Generally less than a tenth of an inch of rain fell during the past week across west central and southwest Florida which is much below normal. Rivers across the region fell significantly but are still running near climatological normals over the interior, but are generally in the lowest 10th percentile north of I-4 and across Hillsborough county. 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. 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 3, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Very little rain fell over the past week which has caused rivers/streams to fall across the region. Most rivers north of I-4 and in Hillsborough county are running in the lowest 15th percentile. Rivers over the interior are running near climatological normal. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast No measurable rainfall is forecast over the next seven days. 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 November. 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 November through January. Above normal precipitation is favored during November through January. Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook for November - January Drought conditions are expected to end as we move into the winter. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook