Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid November 10, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Nov 18, 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 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 degradation has occurred across Levy county and southwest Florida. 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 9, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to November 9, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 30.71 45.93 -15.22 67% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *26.45 49.56 -23.11 53% St Petersburg Area SPG: 28.49 43.27 -14.78 66% NWS Ruskin TBW: 28.40 49.65 -21.25 57% Winter Haven Area GIF: 41.63 42.46 -0.83 98% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 22.84 45.51 -22.67 50% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **41.87 54.38 -12.51 77% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 39.95 50.61 -10.66 79% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 42.11 52.34 -10.23 80% Plant City PLCF1: 45.40 52.40 -7.00 87% Lakeland LLDF1: 44.80 52.91 -8.11 85% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 39.64 52.84 -13.20 75% Venice VNCF1: 25.11 47.99 -22.88 52% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 55.84 51.07 +4.77 109% *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 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! 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 Generally less than a tenth of an inch of rain fell during the past week (with most locations reporting no rain) across west central and southwest Florida which is much below normal. Rivers across the region fell significantly and are all now running below climatological normals. Many rivers and creeks from Manatee county and north are in the lowest 10th percentile, with the Withlacoochee and Anclote in the lowest 5th percentile. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts A burn ban is in effect for Sarasota county. 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 9, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Very little rain fell over the past week which has caused rivers/streams to fall across the region and are all now running below climatological normals. Many rivers and creeks from Manatee county and north are in the lowest 10th percentile, with the Withlacoochee and Anclote in the lowest 5th percentile. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is in the lowest tenth percentile across the region. Fire Hazard Impacts A burn ban is in effect for Sarasota county. Latest FL Burn Ban map available here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Very little rainfall is forecast through the weekend, but during the middle of next week some showers are expected with rainfall amounts ranging from 0.10 to 0.25 inch near the west coast to 0.25 to 0.50 inch over the interior and north. 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 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 winter. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook