National Weather Service in Melbourne Issues East Central Florida Drought Information Statement
By Space Coast Daily // April 14, 2017
INCLUDES Precipitation, Temperature Outlook
Drought Information Statement from the National Weather Service in Melbourne Florida...Severe Drought Conditions Expand Across Much of East Central Florida. Synopsis: Scattered showers and thunderstorms early in April produced some locally higher rainfall amounts up to 2 to 3 inches across east central Florida, especially through northern portions of Lake and Volusia County. However, over much of the area precipitation was not widespread or heavy enough to produce any relief from the much drier than normal conditions in place. Currently, rainfall deficits since the beginning of October are up to 5 to 10 inches below normal across the region, and up to 3 to 6 inches below normal since the start of the new year. For many locations this is around half of the normal precipitation for these time periods. The continued overall lack of rainfall has led to expanding moderate and severe drought conditions over the area into mid April. According to the latest Drought Monitor from April 13th, 2017... *Severe Drought (D2) Conditions now extend from southern portions of Lake, Orange, and Brevard counties southward through Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and inland Martin counties. *Moderate Drought (D1) Conditions extend across central Lake, northern Orange, Seminole, northern Brevard, and southern Volusia counties, as well as coastal Martin County. *Abnormally Dry (D0) Conditions exist across northern portions of Lake and Volusia counties. Summary of Impacts... State and Local Impacts: According to the Florida Division of Forestry, as of April 12th, burn bans are in effect for Seminole, Osceola, Brevard and Okeechobee Counties. Additionally, Governor Rick Scott, on April 11th, issued a state of emergency in Florida due to the recent increase in wildfires, and continued high potential for additional brush fires to develop across the state. Local agricultural and hydrological reports of slow to recover pastures, as well as ponds and water holes drying up in east central Florida, due to the prolonged dryness, have also been relayed by the USDA. Soil Moisture Conditions: The highest Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values are across central and southern parts of east central Florida. KBDI values are running above 500, and in some areas as high as 600 to 700 from Orange and Brevard counties southward through Okeechobee and Martin counties, which are indicative of moderate to severe drought conditions for this time of year. Groundwater Conditions: The latest groundwater conditions from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as of Wednesday, April 12th indicate groundwater levels for most observing locations are less than 25 percent of normal for this time of year across east central Florida. These levels are below to much below normal. River and Stream Flow Conditions: The latest seven day average streamflow from the USGS as of Thursday, April 13th indicate varying streamflow levels across the region. However, the majority are reporting levels below to much below normal for this time of year, or less than 25 percent of normal. Fire Danger Hazards: According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the potential for significant wildland fires is above normal for all of east central Florida. Climate Summary... Here are the latest rainfall statistics for select sites across east central Florida: Since October 1, 2016: Station Observed Normal Departure Percent of Rainfall Rainfall From Normal Normal Daytona Beach 14.97" 20.84" -5.87" 72% Orlando 8.38" 17.87" -9.49" 47% Melbourne 12.40" 19.61" -7.21" 63% Vero Beach 13.07" 20.94" -7.87" 62% Clermont 12.06" 18.22" -6.16" 66% Lisbon 12.36" 18.77" -6.41" 66% DeLand 16.27" 26.34" -10.07" 62% Sanford WP 15.76" 19.70" -3.94" 80% Titusville WP 17.05" 21.00" -3.95" 81% Fort Pierce WP 11.25" 21.56" -10.31" 52% Stuart WP 11.65" 25.73" -14.08" 45% Kenansville 8.77" N/A N/A N/A Kiss. Prairie 7.64" N/A N/A N/A Since January 1, 2017: Station Observed Normal Departure Percent of Rainfall Rainfall From Normal Normal Daytona Beach 6.20" 10.91" -4.71" 57% Orlando 3.03" 9.81" -6.78" 31% Melbourne 5.49" 9.10" -3.61" 60% Vero Beach 6.10" 10.56" -4.46" 58% Clermont 4.79" 10.67" -5.88" 45% Lisbon 8.93" 11.29" -2.36" 79% DeLand 8.46" 11.61" -3.15" 73% Sanford WP 5.40" 10.81" -5.41" 50% Titusville WP 5.22" 10.78" -5.56" 48% Fort Pierce WP 4.87" 10.43" -5.56" 47% Stuart WP 5.74" 12.69" -6.95" 50% Kenansville 4.70" N/A N/A N/A Kiss. Prairie 2.35" N/A N/A N/A Precipitation and Temperature Outlook... The Climate Prediction Center`s (CPC) 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks, which cover the period through late April, indicate greater chances for above normal temperatures persisting and for near to below normal precipitation across the area. Three Month Outlook (April-May-June): Currently CPC is forecasting greater odds for above normal temperatures during this period, with equal chances for above, near, and below normal precipitation. The wet season, characterized by more daily occurrence of sea breeze generated showers and storms, typically begins around late May across east central Florida. As long as there is no significant delay to the wet season, then rainfall deficits should gradually improve into the summer.
