Drought Information Statement for Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida Valid February 5, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Jacksonville, FL Contact Information: kelly.godsey@noaa.gov; jason.hess@noaa.gov This product will be updated February 12, 2026 Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/JAX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Extreme Drought Continues to Expand Across the Region. Severe Drought (D2) or worse continues for a second week across the entire region. Streamflows across many non-tidal rivers and streams are especially low, with a couple of river gauges reporting record lows. Fire weather risk is increasing, particularly south of Interstate 10. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida The drought monitor is based on rainfall observed through 7 am ET Tuesday, so while rainfall on Wednesday was welcome, that rain was not considered in this week’s drought map. Wednesday’s rainfall amounts were not sufficient to lead to any drought improvement next week. The drought worsened this week across interior Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Inland Northeast Florida, west of the Trail Ridge. In Southeast Georgia, from Atkinson County northeast into Wayne County. D2 (Severe Drought): The remainder of Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida. {{DROUGHT_MONITOR}} Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida Drought conditions continue to expand and worsen across the region, with degradation noted across portions of interior Southeast Georgia and parts of inland Northeast Florida. One-Week Drought Monitor Class Change: 1 category degradation: Across far inland portions of Southeast Georgia, and portions of inland Northeast Florida. {{DROUGHT_CHANGE_MAP}} Precipitation Last 30 Days Last 90 Days Rainfall Percent Rainfall Percent Jasper 1.70” 39.4% 5.81” 57.4% Live Oak 1.19” 26.5% 5.74” 56.9% Ichetucknee St Pk. 0.77” 20.5% 4.10” 45.3% Fanning Springs 0.78” 21.4% 3.76” 41.8% Baxley 1.60” 41.2% 4.62” 45.3% Alma 1.28” 35.6% 3.83” 42.3% Waycross 1.34” 33.9% 5.84” 59.2% Olustee 0.93” 23.1% 4.44” 48.1% Ocala 0.68” 21.1% 2.37” 29.0% Palatka 0.39” 12.8% 2.04” 25.5% Ocklawaha 0.51” 16.9% 2.30” 29.7% Nahunta 1.24” 32.0% 4.83” 51.1% Woodbine 2.24” 63.2% 5.88” 66.1% Jacksonville 0.77” 24.3% 4.56” 56.1% Data Updated through February 4, 2026 Data Courtesy: NWS Observations University of Florida - Florida Automated Weather Network University of Georgia Weather Network Suwannee River Water Management District {{PRECIPITATION}} Temperature A recent arctic airmass that brought snowfall to the region also led to numerous freezes. Cooler than normal temperatures are expected through the weekend before a warming trend begins next week. Last 30 Days Average High (Departure) Average Low (Departure) Jacksonville 65.6° (-0.1°) 38.0° (-5.0°) Craig Field 64.5° (+0.7°) 40.3° (-4.6°) Ocala 69.4° (-1.4°) 41.6° (-4.2°) Gainesville 67.0° (-0.4°) 37.9° (-5.0°) Alma 61.0° (-1.8°) 34.5° (-4.9°) {{TEMPERATURE}} Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows on all mainstem rivers in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida are especially low. In particular, stretches of the Santa Fe River are at record low flows. Reports of stretches of the Suwannee, Santa Fe, and Satilla River are no longer accessible to recreational boaters using canoes. In Gilchrist County, the Santa Fe River has sandbars visible above the waterline. Springs along the Suwannee River are discharging rapidly into the Middle Suwannee with the low level of the Middle Suwannee. Agricultural Impacts Grazing crops are considerably stressed in interior North Florida, particularly in Marion County. Winter cover crops in Southeast Georgia are stressed. In Bacon County, the blueberry farmers are having to water the crop from holding ponds. Water levels in these ponds are below normal, but still at a sufficient level for now to support the crop. Fire Hazard Impacts The Keetch Byram Drought Index continues to rise, with portions of Alachua and Marion County now above 600. The remainder of SE Georgia and NE Florida are in the 400-550 range. There has been an increase in wildfire activity reported in many counties. Putnam County, FL reported 12 wildfires this week, including a 300 plus acre fire in Interlachen, FL from an out of control pile burn. Burn bans are now in effect in Gilchrist, Alachua, Putnam, Union and Bradford Counties. Mitigation Actions Suwannee River Water Management District has issued a water shortage advisory for their watershed. If your county is not under a burn ban, exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows across all mainstem rivers have dropped below the 10th percentile for flow this time of year. The Upper Santa Fe River remains near record low flow. The non-tidal rivers are expected to continue decreasing with the lack of widespread heavy rainfall. Recreational access to various rivers is becoming challenging or impossible for paddle boats and canoes. {{HYDROLOGIC}} Agricultural Impacts Dry Soils are present across across interior southeast Georgia & northeast Florida, especially from the Okefenokee Swamp southward. Even with a little rain yesterday and this morning, soils remain especially dry. Continued lack of heavy rainfall and low relative humidities will lead to further drying. 0-200 cm Relative Soil Moisture & 1-week Change in 0-200 cm Relative Soil Moisture Data courtesy of NASA SPoRT 2026 Crop Reports Florida | Georgia {{AGRICULTURE}} Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index values at or above 600 for portions of interior NE Florida mainly south of Interstate 10. Burn bans are in effect for Gilchrist, Alachua, Putnam, Union, and Bradford Counties in Florida. Fire danger is rapidly increasing. The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for February calls for above normal wildfire activity across the area Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. {{FIRE_WEATHER}} Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Light rain occurred this morning, but no further precipitation is expected for at least the next 7 days. Below normal rainfall is currently predicted for much of the region during the 8-14 day period from February 12 to February 18. {{QPF_7_DAY}} Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here {{OUTLOOK_8_14_DAY}} Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Next 3 months favor above normal temperatures & below normal precipitation. Lower rain amounts tied to current La Nina. In the winter months, rainfall is often below normal as storm systems tend to track farther north of the region. Feb Mar Apr Average Temp Rain Temp Rain Temp Rain Jacksonville 57.5° 2.86” 62.4° 3.29” 68.1° 2.93” Craig Field 58.0° 2.42” 62.6° 3.03” 68.3° 2.41” Ocala 61.0° 2.94” 65.3° 3.68” 70.7° 2.22” Gainesville 58.4° 2.67” 62.7° 3.49” 68.5° 2.74” Alma 54.4° 3.37” 60.2° 4.17” 66.5° 2.85” {{OUTLOOK_MONTHLY}} Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist through the winter and into the Spring. With persistent La Nina through the winter, below normal precipitation and persistent drought conditions are expected & will likely further worsen/expand. The combined impacts of spring green-up and long-term drought, there are concerns for an active local wildfire season this spring. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook {{OUTLOOK_DROUGHT_SEASONAL}}