Drought Information Statement for West Central & Southwest Florida Valid December 30, 2023 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Jan 6, 2024 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. Improvement has also occurred across the southwest Florida peninsula. However, little change has occurred across the west central Florida peninsula as long term drought persists. 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 to Sarasota county. D0: (Abnormally Dry): bounds the D1 area from western Pasco county south to coastal 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 26, there was improvement (light green area) across southwest Florida. There were no changes across west central Florida. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - January 1 to December 28, 2023 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from January 1, 2023 to December 28, 2023: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 37.15 49.24 -12.09 75% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: *31.12 53.36 -22.24 58% St Petersburg Area SPG: 33.63 46.43 -12.80 72% NWS Ruskin TBW: 33.08 53.35 -20.27 62% Winter Haven Area GIF: 46.40 45.87 +0.53 101% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 27.13 48.84 -21.71 56% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: **49.02 57.24 -8.22 86% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 44.90 53.26 -8.36 84% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 50.41 56.79 -6.38 89% Plant City PLCF1: 51.50 55.88 -4.38 92% Lakeland LLDF1: 50.41 56.59 -6.18 89% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 44.40 56.06 -11.66 79% Wauchula 2 N WAUF1: 43.43 51.81 -8.38 84% Venice VNCF1: 29.71 51.05 -21.34 58% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 59.17 54.06 +5.11 109% *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 and Sarasota-Bradenton Area are continuing to have their Driest Year-to-Date! Venice is now 2nd 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 week allowed rivers and streams across west central and southwest Florida to return to or climb 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 28, 2023 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall during the past week generally ranged from 0.25 to 0.50 inches across nature coast, 0.25 to 1 inch across the central forecast area, and 1 to 3 inches across southwest Florida and the southern interior. Streamflows are now near to above normal across the region. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has climbed back up into the normal range across much of the region, and above normal across the nature coast. 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 south of Interstate 4 with 0.25 to 0.50 inch further north, with isolated higher totals. 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 Equal chances of above, below, and near normal temperatures are forecast for January. Above normal precipitation is 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. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook