Drought Information Statement for Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend Valid August 6, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Tallahassee, FL Contact Information: kelly.godsey@noaa.gov; cameron.young@noaa.gov This is the final issuance of this product unless Extreme Drought (D3) returns. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/TAE/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Steady Drought Improvement across the Region. Extreme Drought (D3) no longer present - this is the last drought statement. The Southeast Florida Big Bend still has moderate to severe drought, mainly due to long term rainfall deficits that affect streams, lakes and groundwater levels. Further improvement in drought conditions are possible, though significant rains are needed to fully recharge river and lake levels. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend An extensive rainy weekend resulted in further improvement to drought categories across the region. Drought intensity and Extent: D2 (Severe Drought): In Florida: Portions of Lafayette and Dixie Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): In Florida: From Jefferson County eastward to the Suwannee River. In Georgia: Brooks, Cook, Berrien, Lanier, and Lowndes Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): In Florida: Along and east of the Ochlockonee River as well as across the Florida Panhandle, mainly west of a line from Marianna to the Bay/Walton County line. In Georgia/Alabama: Much of Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia. {{DROUGHT_MONITOR}} Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend Further improvement in drought intensity continued this week with recent rains with much of North Florida receiving a 1 category improvement as well as portions of South Central Georgia. One-Week Drought Monitor Class Change: 1 Category Improvement In Florida: From Bay County eastward to along the Apalachicola River. As well as into the Southeast Florida Big Bend. In South Central Georgia: Around Tift, Turner, Ben Hill, and Irwin Counties. No change Remainder of the region. {{DROUGHT_CHANGE_MAP}} Precipitation Last 30 Days Last 120 Days Rainfall Percent Rainfall Percent DeFuniak Springs* 7.40” 109.9% 37.40” 168.0% Panama City ECP 8.69” 131.5% 19.69” 96.0% Dothan 5.80” 100.0% 18.96” 101.7% Georgetown** 3.59” 67.9% 16.36” 91.9% Dawson** 4.06” 77.6% 18.85” 107.3% Arlington** 5.51” 99.5% 25.57” 142.6% Albany 3.02” 61.6% 19.33” 119.1% Cairo** 4.35” 75.3% 24.75” 132.6% Tallahassee 8.82” 126.2% 21.60” 96.8% Moultrie** 2.17” 40.6% 19.56” 111.8% Monticello* 5.84” 86.3% 20.70” 97.8% Ty Ty** 6.44” 129.6% 23.32” 139.6% Alapaha** 6.19” 122.1% 22.63” 136.4% Madison Blue Spring*** 8.18” 136.3% 22.24” 112.1% Perry*** 14.54” 215.8% 23.5” 116.5% Note: Precipitation after 8 AM EDT/7 AM CDT Tuesday is incorporated in next week’s Drought Monitor Rainfall totals through August 5, 2026. Non-NWS Data Courtesy: *University of Florida - Florida Automated Weather Network **University of Georgia Weather Network ***Suwannee River Water Management District ****Northwest Florida Water Management District Climatology for non-NWS stations is estimated using PRISM data. 30 day Percent of Normal Precipitation 120 day Percent of Normal Precipitation Recent rains have been more than sufficient to alleviate drought conditions. However, some riverine and lake levels remain below normal for this time of year. >600% 400-600% 300-400% 200-300% 150-200% 125-150% 110-125% 100-110% 90-100% 75-90% 50-75% 25-50% 10-25% 5-10% 0.01-5% 0% {{PRECIPITATION}} Temperature With a lengthy stretch of cloudy and rainy weather temperatures over the last month have trended slightly below normal for daytime highs. Muggy conditions have kept overnight lows generally near to slightly above normal. Rainy conditions through the weekend will likely keep temperatures below normal, though warmer than normal conditions are expected by mid June. Last 30 Days Average High (Departure) Average Low (Departure) Tallahassee 85.7° (-1.3°) 64.4° (+2.1°) Albany 83.1° (-4.1°) 62.8° (+0.3°) Marianna 83.7° (-3.5°) 63.7° (+0.1°) Dothan 82.6° (-4.2°) 63.1° (-0.3°) {{TEMPERATURE}} Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows remain below normal across the Southeast Florida Big Bend and are generally within the normal range elsewhere across the region. However, lakes and ponds remain lower than normal for this time of year, especially in areas in the Florida Big Bend. Agricultural Impacts Rainfall continues to slowly improve drought conditions and this has helped the agricultural community now well into growing season. Some irrigation needs remain in the Southeast Florida Big Bend. Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values are are mainly 200 or less throughout North Florida. Portions of Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia have values in the 200-400 range. Mitigation Actions Northwest Florida Water Management District has issued a water shortage warning for their watershed. Suwannee River Water Management District has issued a modified phase II water shortage order for their watershed. Why has the drought improved? This is Ocheesee Pond in eastern Jackson County, FL (labeled at left). The middle graphic is a photo of the pond in early May 2026 before significant rains returned to the region. The image at right was taken June 10, 2026, showing significant recovery of the lake. Photos courtesy of Northwest Florida Water Management District. Much of the area west of the Apalachicola River in Florida has seen significant recovery in surface water levels due to the rainfall in May. As a result, drought severity has improved considerably. However, even this location in Jackson County remains in D1-Moderate Drought. Why has the drought improved? This is Lake Iamonia in Northern Leon County, FL (labeled at left). These photos were recently taken by Northwest Florida Water Management District. Northern Leon County has seen some beneficial rainfall, but not as much as areas further to the west. This particular lake is well below normal levels, much like Lake Jackson in Leon County. So why has the drought status improved in the area if these conditions remain? Drought is composite of a variety of impacts. Agricultural and fire impacts have improved considerably from where they were two months ago, however, some of the hydrologic impacts will take much more rain to improve. Drought beginning to wind down locally Links: Drought Monitor Time Series Though portions of our region remain in drought, many areas are now emerging from drought or seeing improving drought status. Here are some facts: There have been four long duration extreme droughts since 2000 in our region, including this current drought. 10 months is a lengthy period of drought, but not the longest stretch in the 26 year history of the drought monitor for our region. Drought severity and coverage of drought has decreased considerably over the last two weeks. Many areas are not in any drought status for the first time since early October. Extreme drought continues, primarily in the Southeast Florida Big Bend. This is the first time that Exceptional Drought (D4) is not analyzed in our region since mid January. Courtesy of the US Drought Monitor Page. Time series depiction of D1, D2, D3, and D4 drought across the Tallahassee forecast area by percentage Records date back to 2000. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow conditions have largely improved with many locations now into the normal range, though still on the lower side of the normal range. In the Southeast Big Bend, streamflows remain quite low, especially in the lower Suwannee River. In response to streamflows and groundwater conditions, Northwest Florida Water Management District a water shortage warning for their watershed. The Suwannee River Water Management District has issued a modified phase II water shortage order for their watershed. {{HYDROLOGIC}} Agricultural Impacts Deep layer soil moisture remains dry across South Georgia, but recent rains brought considerable relief along the I-75 corridor and down into North Florida. The heaviest rains were in the Florida Big Bend. However, the soils in the Southeast Florida Big Bend tend to dry out very quickly, even after a heavy rain event. 2026 Crop Reports Alabama | Florida | Georgia 0-200 cm Relative Soil Moisture & 1-week Change in 0-200 cm Relative Soil Moisture Data courtesy of NASA SPoRT {{AGRICULTURE}} Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Indices are below 500. There are currently no burn bans in effect. The Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for September is for near normal wildfire activity in most of the region. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. {{FIRE_WEATHER}} Precipitation Outlook Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected through Saturday, mainly across the eastern half of the region before drier conditions return. The longer range pattern is for near to slightly below normal rainfall in the 8-14 day outlook (8/13 - 8/19). {{PRECIP_OUTLOOK}} 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. The next 3 months favors temperatures much above normal and near normal precipitation. With sea breeze season underway drought improvement could continue before reaching September, when drier conditions tend to return. August September October Average Temp Rain Temp Rain Temp Rain Tallahassee 82.4° 7.60” 79.1° 4.91” 70.3° 3.24” Apalachicola 82.2° 7.79” 79.2° 5.38” 71.5° 3.63” Albany 82.7° 4.83” 78.1° 3.37” 68.9° 2.30” Valdosta 81.2° 5.11” 77.2° 4.22” 68.6° 3.71” Marianna 82.1° 4.93” 78.7° 4.06” 69.5° 3.06” Dothan 82.0° 6.17” 77.9° 3.27” 68.9° 2.70” {{OUTLOOK_MONTHLY}} Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Drought has ended for some areas in the region over the last 4 weeks. Additional improvement is expected long term. Tropical activity and sea breeze storms will help lead to drought improvement, if the rainfall is sufficiently widespread. To completely end the drought in the Southeast Florida Big Bend, much more rainfall is needed to improve soil, riverine, and surface water conditions. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook {{OUTLOOK_DROUGHT_SEASONAL}} Summary of Impacts - Southeast Alabama Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Significant streamflow improvements have occurred across Southeast Alabama within the last week. Both the Choctawhatchee River and Pea River are back within the normal range. Reports from Southeast Alabama indicate that holding ponds and surface water features continue to improve considerably. However, it was noted that water levels are still below normal levels. Agricultural Impacts Pastures continue to improve with significant improvement in growth. Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values are less than 200 across the region. Pea River at Elba over the last month shown. Rainfall recently led to a significant rise on the Pea River. Similar rises were seen on the Choctawhatchee as well. What is interesting is that just a couple of weeks ago, the Pea River at Elba was reporting negative stage numbers and is now above normal when averaged over the last 7 days. Summary of Impacts - Southwest Georgia Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows have improved considerably, especially along the Flint River and westward. Modest improvement is noted in streams further east toward I-75. Surface water levels in ponds, swamps, and lakes continue to improve, especially west of the Flint River. Further rainfall is needed to bring many of these back to normal levels, but the trend this week is definitely one of improvement. Agricultural Impacts Agricultural crops continue to improve with the added rainfall with growing and planting season of a variety of crops well underway. Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values are less than 200 west of the Flint River and between 200-350 between the Flint River and I-75. Southern Area Coordination Center issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory Hydrograph for the Ochlockonee River near Thomasville. Recent rains, resulted in significant rises on the river. The river is at normal flows for this time of year when averaged over the last week. The continued rainfall has kept the river well above the lows seen at the end of April. Summary of Impacts - Florida Panhandle Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter The Governor of Florida has issued a State of Emergency due to drought. Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows have improved considerably across the Florida Panhandle with some smaller streams almost reaching flood stage in the last week. Surface and groundwater levels are improving. However, some of the larger lakes and ponds still need more rainfall to fully recharge after the extended drought. Agricultural Impacts Crops continue to improve with plentiful rain as growing and planting season continues. Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values are less than 200 except in Gulf County where the KBDI is around 250 Burn bans are in place for Gulf County. Mitigation Actions Northwest Florida Water Management District has issued a water shortage warning for their watershed. Hydrograph for the Chipola River at Marianna. Rain both in Marianna and upstream has led to steady rises with the river well above normal for this time of year. Water levels nearing 14 feet begin to impact the Florida Caverns in Marianna. Summary of Impacts - Florida Big Bend Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter The Governor of Florida has issued a State of Emergency due to drought. Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows have improved in the Ochlockonee Basin westward. Over 10 inches of rain fell in Lake Talquin this past week resulting in significant releases downstream from the dam into the Lower Ochlockonee. However, streamflows east of Tallahassee, like the Aucilla River and Suwannee River System remain especially low for this time of year. Surface and groundwater levels remain very low, especially east of Tallahassee. Numerous lakes and holding ponds are nearly dry. Agricultural Impacts Planting is well underway. More irrigation of crops is needed from Jefferson County eastward, however, recent rainfall has benefited crops considerably. Fire Hazard Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values range from 200 in Gadsden County to 300-500 from Leon County to the Suwannee River with the , highest in Dixie County. Burn bans are in effect for Franklin County. Mitigation Actions Suwannee River Water Management District has issued a water shortage advisory for their watershed. Southern Area Coordination Center issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory Hydrograph at Lake Iamonia in Northern Leon County. The pool elevation rose from rainfall two weeks ago, with most of the rain occurring west of Tallahassee. This shows the sharp cutoff between areas that saw significant rainfall and locations like North Leon County that haven’t directly benefited from widespread rain. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow conditions have improved, with many locations in the normal range or better over the last 28 days. Recent rains have helped considerably in Southwest Georgia and Southeast Alabama. In the Southeast Florida Big Bend, rainfall was less, and as a result, streamflows remain especially low for this time of year. Even routed flows from upstream of the mainstem Suwannee are not sufficient to significantly improve water levels on the Suwannee River. In response to streamflows and groundwater conditions, Northwest Florida Water Management District has issued a Water Shortage Warning, and Suwannee River Water Management District has issued a Water Shortage Advisory. Minimum Below Normal 10-25th Percentile Extremely Below Normal <5th Percentile Much Below Normal 5-10th Percentile Normal 25-75th Percentile Above Normal 75-90th Percentile Much Above Normal 90-95th Percentile Extremely Above Normal 75-90th Percentile Maximum 28 day Streamflow Anomaly Data Courtesy of the USGS {{HYDROLOGIC}}