Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid December 8, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Dec 17, 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 some improvement to drought conditions over portions of the southeast U.S. during the past few weeks, 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 5, a category improvement to D0 occurred across western Levy county. Otherwise, there was no change to the remainder of west central and southwest Florida. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1 to December 6, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to December 6, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 33.00 47.33 -14.33 70% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *28.49 51.19 -22.70 56% St Petersburg Area SPG: 30.24 44.62 -14.38 68% NWS Ruskin TBW: 30.14 51.43 -21.29 59% Winter Haven Area GIF: 43.66 43.90 -0.24 99% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 23.71 47.09 -23.52 50% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **44.84 55.86 -11.02 80% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 42.36 52.10 -9.74 81% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 43.17 54.39 -11.22 79% Plant City PLCF1: 48.28 53.97 -5.69 89% Lakeland LLDF1: 47.50 54.66 -7.16 87% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 41.00 54.40 -13.40 75% Venice VNCF1: 26.47 49.33 -22.86 54% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 57.03 52.60 +4.43 108% *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% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 40.85 49.87 -9.02 82% Desoto City 8 SW DSOF1: 56.65 50.28 +6.37 113% St. Petersburg Area, 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 Rivers and streams over the interior are near climatological normals. The Withlacoochee, Anclote, and Myakka rivers, along with Cypress Creek, continue to run in the lowest 15th percentile. The Alafia and Little Manatee rivers are running 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 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 6, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Generally a half inch or less of rain fell across the region this past week. Rainfall was not sufficient to prevent rivers and streams from slowly falling. 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 expected to generally range from about 0.50 to 1 inch across the region. 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. Long-Range Seasonal 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 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