Drought Information Statement for West Central and Southwest Florida Valid May 30, 2025 Issued By: WFO Tampa Bay Contact Information: sr-tbw.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by June 7, 2025, 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. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Below normal rainfall has occurred over the last several months, with drought conditions across most of the region. Rainfall was below normal this past week along the coastal counties from Sarasota County northward, with above normal amounts over the interior and southwest Florida. A stalled boundary will help to cause more showers and thunderstorms into early next week generally south of I-4 which should improve drought conditions some in these areas. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Florida Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Continues across parts of southwest Florida north into Manatee and Sarasota Counties. . D2 (Severe Drought): Continues across the Tampa Bay area north and northeast across portions of the Nature Coast and southeast into Hardee and Desoto Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Across much of the central interior and central Nature Coast. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of Levy County and along the Kissimmee River Valley. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Across parts of the coastal counties from Levy County south through Sarasota County (yellow areas on map). No Change: Most of the interior and southwest Florida (gray areas on map). Drought Improved: Over eastern portions of the Florida peninsula (green areas on map). 90-Day Precipitation Above normal rainfall has continued to occur over the interior during the past 90 days, while the remainder of the region has generally seen 50 to 75 percent of normal rainfall. Table of Accumulated Rainfall (inches) for Select Locations - November 1, 2024 to May 29, 2025 Precipitation The following table gives the rainfall from November 1, 2024 to May 29, 2025: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal Tampa Area TPA: 12.74 16.65 -3.91 77% St Pete/Clearwater PIE: 8.91 16.89 -7.98 35% St Petersburg Area SPG: 8.43 14.93 -6.50 56% NWS Ruskin TBW: 10.05 17.86 -7.81 56% Brooksville Area BKV: 8.79 17.57 -8.78 50% Winter Haven Area GIF: 13.16 16.98 -3.82 78% Sarasota-Bradenton Area SRQ: 7.86 16.47 -8.61 48% Punta Gorda Area PGD: 8.01 16.31 -8.30 49% Fort Myers/Page Field FMY: 10.47 15.49 -5.02 68% Fort Myers/SW Intl Apt RSW: 7.56 13.82 -6.26 55% Chiefland 5 SE CHIF1: 18.78 21.61 -2.83 87% Inverness 3 SE INVF1: 10.56 18.70 -8.14 56% Tarpon Springs TRPF1: 10.81 18.07 -7.26 60% Plant City PLCF1: 10.49 18.88 -8.36 56% Lakeland LLDF1: 13.43 19.16 -5.73 70% Bartow BARF1: 13.97 16.63 -2.66 84% Bradenton 5 ESE BRAF1: 7.53 17.61 -10.08 43% Wauchula WAUF1: 10.30 17.64 -7.34 58% Venice VNCF1: 8.78 16.92 -8.14 52% Archbold Bio Stn ACHF1: 12.19 17.54 -5.35 69% The following table gives the rainfall from November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025: Site Observed 30 Yr Dep fm Percent Station Id Rainfall Normal Normal of Normal St. Leo STLF1: 6.49 16.07 -9.58 40% Mountain Lake LWLF1: 7.72 14.28 -6.56 54% Myakka River St Pk MKCF1: 7.33 15.80 -8.47 46% USGS 7-day Average Streamflow HUC map for Florida Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall over the last few weeks has allowed most streams to rise to near normal levels across West Central and Southwest Florida, but some are beginning to fall once again. Stream flows should remain mostly near normal over the next week or so as some showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for most days. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans remain in effect for portions of West Central and Southwest Florida. The potential for significant wildland fires remains above normal. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts The latest 7-day average streamflow remains near to above normal due heavy rainfall earlier this month. (https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&r=fl&w=map). Agricultural Impacts Recent rainfall has yet to benefit pastures and farmlands, providing very little or no feed. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans remain in effect for portions of West Central and Southwest Florida (FFS Map). Due to longer term dry conditions, the potential for significant wildland fires remains above normal for June. (https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive-services/outlooks) Other Impacts Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values have worsened along some the coastal counties, with the highest values ranging from 500-549 across Levy, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Charlotte and Lee counties…and 550-599 across Pinellas and Sarasota county. (https://fireweather.fdacs.gov/wx/kbdi_index.html) Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Highest rainfall totals are forecast to occur over the southern half of the Florida peninsula which will be located south of a stalled frontal boundary into early next week. Generally above normal rainfall is expected through the middle of next week. Monthly Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The outlook for June calls for a 33-40% chance of above normal rainfall, and a 40-60% chance of above normal temperatures. Seasonal Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Warmer than normal conditions are expected to persist through August with a 50-60% chance of above normal temperatures. Rainfall is expected to return with a 40-50% chance of above normal amounts during June through August. This is associated with the return of the Summer Thunderstorm Season, which usually begins in late May or early June. Seasonal Drought Outlook The outlook through August is for drought conditions to end as the wet season gets underway across the Florida peninsula.