Prepared by Melissa Griffin and David F. Zierden. Thanks to L. Zuromski.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures above normal across the state in February. Average temperatures were above normal for February across the entire state (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Departures from normal ranged from 0.4˚F at Fort Lauderdale to 3.0˚F in St. Petersburg. While February was warmer than normal, it was not nearly as warm as the record breaking average temperatures that were seen in January 2013. Overall, the average temperatures for the meteorological winter (Dec 1st- Feb 28th) were above normal across the state despite the cool December. Multiple maximum temperature or high minimum temperature records were either tied or broken (Appendix 2); there were only 2 record minimum temperatures that were broken in February.

Table 1: February average temperatures and departures from normal (°F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals varied across the state in February. Rainfall totals across the state varied in February (Table 2), with the Panhandle and Big Bend regions of the state reporting 3 to 8 inches above normal rainfall, while portions of the peninsula and south Florida were 1 to 3 inches below normal precipitation (Figure 1). February 2013 was the wettest on record for both Pensacola and Tallahassee. Multiple precipitation records were broken in February (Table 3), and three of those records were from Tallahassee during a 5-day-long significant rainfall event at the end of the month. The above normal rainfall helped eased drought conditions in some of the northern counties, but there are still drought concerns as the 3-month outlooks predict below normal rainfall for the spring dry season.

Table 2: February precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Table 3: Select daily rainfall records (inches) broken during February (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Figure 1: A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for February is given in the figure below (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

ENSO-neutral conditions continue in the Pacific. As of February 25th, neutral ENSO conditions continue to be reported for the equatorial Pacific. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) are near average to below average across the Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue through the spring. The atmospheric circulation during February was somewhat variable due to an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) predicts above normal temperatures for the state; they are also predicting below normal precipitation for Florida through May.

Hazardous weather events in February. February was a fairly active month for severe weather across the state when compared with January 2013. There were 161 severe weather reports made in the 28-day month. Multiple reports of a waterspout off the coast of Pidgeon Key were made on the 6th. On the 7th, a waterspout moved on shore near Santa Rosa Beach and caused some property damage. Also on the 7th, there were reports of high winds along the central west coast of Florida, with the highest wind report (42 mph) from downtown Tampa. A prescribed burn broke though a containment line near Barberville on the 11th and spread to 450 acres, prompting some evacuations and road closures. Also on the 11th, a severe thunderstorm produced hail and damaging winds in and around Panama City Beach along with multiple waterspouts off the coast of St. Andrew’s State Park. High winds were reported along the Keys and around the Fort Lauderdale area on the 14th. A tornado was reported in a store parking lot in Boynton Beach on the same day. Another round of highs winds was reported across southern portions of the state, as a strong cold front moved through the area on the 16th and 17th. Dense fog (visibilities less than 0.25 miles) was reported on the western side of Lake Okeechobee for three mornings (20th-22nd) in a row. Out of the 161 reports made for the month, 110 came from the storm event that started on February 22nd and ended on the 26th. Multiple heavy rain, storm damage, high wind, and flooding reports came in from the Panhandle and Big Bend regions. One severe thunderstorm produced pea- to golfball-sized hail as it moved east along I-10 between Dowling Park and Jacksonville. Many rivers in the area rose to at or above flood stage, as many locations saw over 8.00” during the 5 day event.

Table 4: Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of February (compiled from Southeast Regional Climate Center).

Agricultural and other climate-related impacts. At the beginning of February, the abnormally dry conditions caused problems for small grain crops that needed moisture to sustain normal growth. Irrigation continued across the state at a steady pace. The above normal temperatures caused many fruit and vegetable crops to mature ahead of schedule. Some portions of the Panhandle received some much-needed rain toward the middle of the month, benefiting the winter wheat crop. Citrus, sugarcane and winter vegetable harvesting continued, while areas that had not received substantial rain were irrigated due to lack of soil moisture. Producers were forced to take freeze protection measures in some portions of the state with a dip in temperatures in the middle of February. Only minimal damage was reported, though strong winds and rains in southern Florida slowed production. Heavy rainfall in the Panhandle at the end of the month helped the developing winter wheat crop but caused flooding concerns as well. Most of the state remained dry, and irrigation was continued in many locations. A freeze caused some damage to potato fields, though no reports of major damage were seen.

Statewide rainfall totals varied greatly across the state during February. Comparing the January 29th release of the drought monitor to the one that was posted on February 26th only tells part of the drought story in Florida. In the first week of the month, additional areas of D1 (moderate drought) were added to coastal portions of Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties, while the rest of the state remained unchanged. That area was expanded on the 12th to include all of Monroe County and most of Dade County and was extended north from Palm Beach County into Broward County. By the time the Drought Monitor was posted on the 19th, things had drastically changed. The area of the state that was covered by D1 had expanded from 36% to 72%, and a small area of D3 (extreme drought) had been added along the Florida and Georgia state line. The only parts of the state that remained drought free were portions of Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Highlands, Okeechobee, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties. Things rapidly changed toward the end of February after torrential rains inundated portions of the Panhandle and Big Bend. The rains managed to ease the moderate and severe drought conditions in a lot of the counties in this region. Most of the major rivers are at or above flood stage, and there are reports that wells are coming up as some of this heavy rain makes it into the water table. Despite some of the state receiving the needed rain, the rest of north Florida and the Peninsula are still dealing with drought conditions as we start to transition to the spring dry season.

Figure 2: Drought conditions in Florida as of February 26, 2013 (courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor).

Appendix 1: Additional February departures from normal data for Florida locations.

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) tied or broken during February (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Prepared by Melissa Griffin and David F. Zierden. Thanks to L. Zuromski.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures well below normal across the state in March. Average temperatures were well below normal for March across the entire state (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Departures from normal ranged from -4.0˚F to -6.0˚F across Florida, and there are reports of some locations that were -8.0˚F below normal. Overall, the average temperatures for March 2013 were colder than meteorological winter (Dec 1st- Feb 28th) and were significantly different than March 2012, when some locations were more than 6.0˚F above the normal. March 2013 was the 2nd coldest at both Jacksonville and Gainesville, the 5th coldest at Tallahassee and Tampa, the 6th coldest at Fort Myers, the 7th coldest at Pensacola, Orlando and St. Petersburg and the 8th coldest in Key West. Multiple maximum temperature or high minimum temperature records were either tied or broken (Appendix 2); there were only 2 record minimum temperatures that were broken in February.

Table 1: March average temperatures and departures from normal (°F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals varied across the state in March. Rainfall totals across the state varied in March (Table 2), though most of the state reported totals that were below normal. Localized portions of the northeast Florida and Big Bend regions recorded above normal rainfall (+1-2”), while the peninsula and Panhandle were 2 to 5 inches below normal precipitation (Figure 1). March 2013 was the 5th driest on record at Pensacola, and only 35 precipitation records were broken in March — 11 of those records were for totals under an inch (Table 3). There are still drought concerns as the 3-month outlooks predict below normal rainfall for the spring dry season.

Table 2: March precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Table 3: Select daily rainfall records (inches) broken during March (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Figure 1: A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for March is given in the figure below (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

ENSO-neutral conditions continue in the Pacific. As of April 1st, neutral ENSO conditions continue to be reported for the equatorial Pacific. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) are near average to below average across much of the Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to continue through the summer 2013. The atmospheric circulation during over the last couple of months has been somewhat variable due to an active Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) predicts above normal temperatures for the state, and they are also predicting below normal precipitation for Florida through June.

Hazardous weather events in March. March was a somewhat active month for severe weather across the state, with 129 severe weather reports made during the entire month. The month started out with multiple reports of fires near Daytona Beach, Ocklawaha, and Juniper Springs. The Hopkins Prairie Wildfire grew to over 1900 acres and destroyed 10 homes in Marion County. Low astronomical tides were seen on the 6th at Mayport and Dungeness due to tidal levels that were reported below the mean low water level and were also 1.0 to 1.5 ft below the predicted tidal level. Dense fog on the 20th reduced visibilities to less than ¼ mile near Ortona along State Road 78. Also on the 20th, a severe thunderstorm produced high winds and reports of nickel-sized hail in and around the Miami area.

From March 23rd to 25th, 103 of the 129 severe weather reports were recorded. A low pressure system in Louisiana set up an interesting weather event as a warm front lifted through the Panhandle on the 23rd and 24th, spawning one round of severe weather, and a second round of severe weather hit the state as the cold front pushed through on the 24th and 25th. On the morning of the 23rd, numerous hail reports came in from locations along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, including Panama City Beach, Wewahitcha, Altha, Chattahoochee, and Wakulla Springs. Hail sizes ranged from dime (0.75”) to quarter (1.00”) at these locations. One particularly strong thunderstorm moved east along and parallel to I-10 from Tallahassee toward Jacksonville and triggered multiple reports of hail and storm damage. An Emergency Manager in Bradford County received reports of baseball-sized hail (2.75”) near Lawtey, FL. In addition to the hail and winds, an observer in Lake City reported that over 2.00” of rain had fallen in a 30 minute time period as this storm moved through the area. The same severe thunderstorm caused heavy rains, storm damage and more hail reports as it moved into the town of St. Augustine. Later on the 23rd, lightning caused a house fire in Milton, and storm total rainfall over 2.50” were reported by observers in and around Jacksonville. The 24th saw more reports of storm damage and high winds across much of the Panhandle, Big Bend and northern peninsula of the state. A measured wind gust of 75 mph was taken at the Orlando International Airport, and a gust of 86 mph was measured in the Lake Buena Vista area. Dime to quarter sized hail was reported across the central part of the state from Tampa to Orlando to Titusville. Trees were uprooted and numerous homes sustained damage as the cold front pushed through the area.

Table 4: Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of March (compiled from Southeast Regional Climate Center).

Agricultural and other climate-related impacts. At the beginning of March, producers in northern Florida were busy assessing crops for damage following a second week of freezing temperatures and heavy rains. While much of the state received minimal to no moisture, portions of the Panhandle had accumulated more than 5 inches during the first week. Winter wheat benefited from the recent rains, and moderate to heavy bloom was observed across the state’s citrus region. The second week in March brought more cold weather to the state, with more than half the state recording sub-freezing temperatures. Citrus producers maintained heavy irrigation in their orchards as bloom progressed, but the dry conditions continued to hamper the citrus region. Winter vegetable harvest was in full swing, though producers assessed fields for damage from the cold snaps and strong winds. From March 11th to 17th, growers were irrigating one to two times a week in the citrus belt to keep moisture in the ground and on the trees. Cold weather lingered in Florida and slowed vegetable growth in some areas. Land in the Panhandle was being prepared for peanuts. Strawberry harvesting started earlier than expected. By the end of the month, topsoil moisture levels across the state improved slightly, though irrigation continued in areas still impacted by drought conditions. Unseasonably low temperatures left many fruit and vegetable growers worrying about late season frost damage. Peanuts and corn were planted in the Panhandle, while sugarcane harvest was winding down for the season.

While the statewide rainfall totals varied greatly across the state during March, most of the state saw below normal rainfall during the month. Since the release of the drought monitor on February 26th, the Panhandle has remained drought free, while the Peninsula and north Florida have continued to be plagued by dryness. The areas of moderate drought have expanded to cover about 48% of the state, including much of central Florida and portions of Broward, Collier, Dade, and Monroe counties. The area of severe drought in northern Florida has eased due to the heavy rains at the end of March, now only reported in Flagler, Lake, Marion, Putnam, and Volusia counties. Now that the state has officially entered spring, the normal rainfall during the months of April and May are some of the lowest for the year at many locations. The CPC has predicted that the three-month rainfall amounts for April, May and June will be below these normal values, which could put the state at a greater risk of a worsening drought.

Figure 2: Drought conditions in Florida as of March 26, 2013 (courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor).

Appendix 1: Additional March departures from normal data for Florida locations.

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) tied or broken during March (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Prepared by Melissa Griffin and David F. Zierden. Thanks to A. Griffin and L. Zuromski.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures above normal across the state in April. Average temperatures were above normal for April across the entire state (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Departures ranged from +0.7˚F in Jacksonville to +3.6˚F in St. Petersburg. April 2013 was the 7th warmest April in Miami and Tampa. Even though the average temperatures show April as being a warm month, there were some strong cold fronts that moved through the area, and patchy late season frosts were seen in some of the agricultural growing regions of the state. Numerous maximum and high minimum temperature records were broken and tied during the month (Appendix 2), along with a few low maximum temperatures that were broken toward the end of April.

Table 1: April average temperatures and departures from normal (°F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals varied across the state in April. Rainfall totals across the state varied in April (Table 2), though most of the state reported totals that were below normal. Localized portions of the northeast Florida, along the Florida/Georgia state line in Columbia, Hamilton, and Madison counties, recorded above normal rainfall (1 to 5 inches), while locations along the Nature and Sun coasts reported rainfall totals 1 to 2 inches below normal precipitation (Figure 1). There were a few precipitation records broken during April (Table 3), and portions of south Florida saw heavy rainfall and flooding in some of the metropolitan areas during the month. Most of the counties south of Lake Ockeechobee had normal to above normal rainfall, and the lake itself has a level of 13.40 feet, which is down from the high of 16 feet due to some regulatory releases. The 3-month outlooks are forecasting normal rainfall through July, but there is still concern about the lingering drought in the central part of the peninsula.

Table 2: April precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Table 3: Select daily rainfall records (inches) broken during April (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Figure 1: A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for April is given in the figure below (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

ENSO-neutral conditions continue in the Pacific. As of April 1st, neutral ENSO conditions continue to be reported for the equatorial Pacific. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) are near average across much of the Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to continue through the summer 2013. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) predicts above normal temperatures for the state and they are also predicting normal precipitation for Florida through July.

Hazardous weather events in April. April was a fairly active month for severe weather, with 214 storm reports made during the 30-day period. The month started off with six swimmers rescued from strong rip currents near Miramar Beach, FL, a thunderstorm that produced pea to nickel sized hail in the Miami metro area, and wildfire (~1000 acres burned) that was started by lightning near Kennedy Space Center all on April 1st. A low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico pushed through the state on April 3rd - 5th, bringing multiple rounds of severe weather associated with both a warm and cold front. Non-thunderstorm related wind gusts over 50 mph were reported along the Florida Panhandle and offshore on the 3rd, while reports of storm damage, hail, high winds were reported along the peninsula during the 4th and 5th. An EF0 tornado was confirmed to have touched down on the south end of Big Pine Key on the 5th. A wildfire that burned more than 400 acres started near Juniper Springs on the 7th. Another strong cold front pushed through the state April 11th – 13th, caused high winds (60 mph gust in Milton, FL) and storm damage in the Panhandle, and heavy rains and flooding to portions of Miami-Dade County. Lightning is believed to be the cause of a house fire in Normandy, FL on the 14th. On the same day, a low-pressure formed in the northern Gulf of Mexico and a warm front lifted across the northern part of the state- and spawned a waterspout that moved on shore and did damage to some homes in Eastpoint, FL. Numerous reports of hail were made in and around the Orlando area, ranging from pea to quarter-sized hail during an hour period on the 14th. Thunderstorm wind gusts of at least 40 mph were record at a variety of stations in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. In addition, reports of heavy rain, flooding, hail, storm damage and high winds were also made on the 15th from many south Florida locations. A 1600-acre wildfire was reported by the U.S. Forrest Service in Playalinda Beach, FL on the afternoon of the 18th. The 19th and 20th of the month had more reports of high winds in the interior and along the eastern peninsula coast, along with reports of waterspouts and funnel clouds seen in portions of the Lower Keys. At the end of the month, severe thunderstorms produced high winds, hail and storm damage in the over night and early morning hours of the 29th in Ocala, Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville. On the 30th, more hail, storm damage and heavy rain were reported around Orlando, while waterspouts and a tornado, along with flooding and hail were seen in areas of the Gold Coast from West Palm Beach to Miami.

Table 4: Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of April (compiled from Southeast Regional Climate Center).

Agricultural and other climate-related impacts. At the beginning of April, corn and peanuts were being planted and some spring hay harvesting had also been reported. The harvesting of sugarcane was nearing completion. North Florida farmers also began planting cantaloupe, watermelons and tomatoes. Warm seasons crops in south Florida had a setback from a late season frost and high winds. Drought continued to limit forage growth, and the lingering cold temperatures from March has slowed growth, while flooding and disease compounded the problem. Bad weather caused farmers to replant corn and watermelons in some locations. Planting of sweet corn and peas in the Panhandle started in mid-April, as cabbage, watermelons and blueberries were harvested in central and south Florida. Statewide, most of the cattle stock was in fair to good condition, though poor forage in some locations forced ranchers to hay feed their herd. After more bad weather in portions of the Panhandle, certain crops had to be replanted. Spring vegetables were being planted in central Florida, but south Florida growers were battling disease due to heavy rain.

While the statewide rainfall totals varied greatly across the state during April, there have been some improvements. The Florida Panhandle remained drought free through April, though at the beginning of the month, portions of south Florida degraded from dry conditions to moderate drought, before rains set in and helped eased the dryness. Unfortunately, the dryness of April continued in the central Peninsula, and the region of severe drought spread from Flagler and Putnam counties, westward into Marion, Citrus and Levy counties. The beneficial rains at the end of the month helped pull south Florida out of moderate drought, helped either ease the drought in some locations and remove it from others.

Figure 2: Drought conditions in Florida as of April 23, 2013 (courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor).

Appendix 1: Additional April departures from normal data for Florida locations.

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) tied or broken during April (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Prepared by Melissa Griffin and David F. Zierden. Thanks to A. Griffin and L. Zuromski.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures varied across the state in May. Average temperatures varied during May across the entire state (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Departures from normal ranged from -1.9˚F to 1.0˚F across Florida, though most locations in the state had below normal temperatures. May 2013 was the 3rd coldest at Jacksonville, the 6th coldest in Gainesville, and the 9th coldest in Pensacola. At the beginning of the month, many low maximum and minimum temperatures were tied or broken, with a record at Plant City on the 7th that tied with the previous record set back in 1898 (Appendix 2). By the end of the month, more high minimum and maximum temperatures were either tied or broken, as the weather pattern returned to a typical regime for the beginning of June.

Table 1: May average temperatures and departures from normal (°F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals varied across the state in May. Rainfall totals across the state varied in May (Table 2). Portions of northeast and south Florida, along with localized places in the interior of the peninsula, recorded above normal rainfall (up to and over 8 inches), while the Panhandle and Big Bend regions had 2 to 5 inches below normal precipitation (Figure 1). May was the 6th wettest on record at Fort Lauderdale (Appendix 1) and 7th wettest at Key West, while it was the 4th driest at Tallahassee and the 13th driest May on record at Pensacola. There were a few precipitation records broken during the month (Table 3), with one of those records dating back to 1882. Despite the excessive rainfall that eased drought in some areas, the spring dry season led to a re-introduction of drought classifications along the Panhandle.

Table 2: May precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Table 3: Select daily rainfall records (inches) broken during May (compiled from NOAA, NWS).

Figure 1: A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for May is given in the figure below (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

ENSO-neutral conditions continue in the Pacific. As of June 3rd, neutral ENSO conditions continue to be reported for the equatorial Pacific. Equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) are near average across the western and central Pacific Ocean and below average in the eastern Pacific. ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to continue through summer 2013. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) predicts above normal temperatures for the state and they are also predicting above normal precipitation for the Panhandle and normal precipitation for the rest of Florida through August.

Hazardous weather events in May. May was an active month for severe weather, with 249 storm reports made during the 31-day period, including nearly half a dozen weather related fatalities. On the 1st – 3rd, there were numerous reports of high winds, flooding/heavy rains, and storm damage including hail, along the Florida East Coast from Jacksonville through the Florida Keys. Waterspouts were reported offshore of Bal Harbour and on Lake Okeechobee; while and EF0 tornado was confirmed to have caused damage in Boca Raton. Rain totals were as high as 7 inches in some locations, and wind gusts up to 45 mph were reported in multiple locations. The storm system produced rough surf conditions along the coast, with 5-foot breakers and some minor beach erosion. The Jacksonville and St. Augustine area saw a round of severe weather that produced a tornado near Elkton, FL, on the 4th, along with pea to dime sized hail, heavy rains and uprooted trees. Two separate storms produced hail on the 9th in Hialeah and Jupiter, FL. Early morning reports on the 11th of a waterspout near Miami Beach were a prelude to the storm reports that would come in later that day from Jacksonville, Port St. Lucie and Fort Lauderdale. More waterspouts were reported on the 13th along the Lower Keys. Dangerous rip currents claimed the lives of a 22-year old male who became caught in the strong rip current and a 62-year old man who rescued a 10-year old boy who got caught in the current at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park on the 14th and 15th. The Jacksonville Beach Life Guards saved 3 people from the rip currents on the same day (15th). Severe weather on the 18th and 19th caused damage in Jacksonville, Gainesville and Orlando, with nickel-sized hail reported with high winds and heavy rains. Heavy rains and flooding were reported in Boca Raton, Miami Beach and Boynton Beach on the 20th, while, in portions of the state west of I-75, reports of pea to quarter sized hail accompanied reports of 50 mph winds and storm damage. Lightning struck the runway at the St. Augustine Airport and damaged a 5x6 foot section of the runway on the 21st. Also on the 21st, the greater Tampa area had reports of dime-sized hail and minor street flooding associated with a strong storm that moved over the area. A funnel cloud was reported over New Smyrna Beach on the 23rd. Over Memorial Day weekend, a 15-year old drowned after being caught in a rip current near Dania Beach, FL, and a 51-year old was killed after being struck by lightning on Belleair Beach, FL, on the 28th. Another rip current related death was reported on the 31st near Boynton Beach after a 17-year old male drowned from strong rip currents.

Table 4: Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of May (compiled from Southeast Regional Climate Center).

Agricultural and other climate-related impacts. Peanuts, corn, cotton and a variety of vegetables continued to be planted across the state at the beginning of the month. South Florida growers harvested blueberries, cabbage, sweet corn, green beans and sweet potatoes, while the sugarcane harvest ended for the year. Drought conditions continued to hamper forage growth, though rains had flooded pastures in some portions of the state. Most packinghouse had closed toward the middle of the month. 90% of the cattle in the state were reported between fair and excellent condition. Potatoes began to be harvested in north Florida, snap beans and carrots were harvested in central Florida, and growers in south Florida harvested a variety of vegetable and specialty crops. Fields were being cleaned up in preparation for the summer fallow. By the end of the month, topsoil and subsoil moisture levels in the northern part of the state had declined, with the majority of the reports indicating more that 50% were short to very short. In southern parts of the state, rainfall totals were above normal, as harvesting of specialty crops continued and packinghouses and processing plants opened.

At the beginning of May, the peninsula was under drought classifications that ranged from abnormally dry (D0) to severe drought (D2), with the worst parts of the dryness in portions of Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Marion, Levy, and Putnam counties. May is typically one of the driest months across the entire state, with the statewide precipitation average of 3.86” for the month (based on 1895-2012). Widespread rains in the northeastern counties and along the east coast during the first part of the month helped ease drought conditions in most of the area, where drought had been lingering since the beginning of the year. Rain continued to fall over most of the same area during the remainder of the month, while the Panhandle and Big Bend regions remained dry. By the end of the month, the lack of rainfall in the northern part of the state prompted the re-introduction of dry conditions to Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Washington, Holmes and Jackson counties.

Figure 2: Drought conditions in Florida as of May 28, 2013 (courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor).

Appendix 1: Additional May departures from normal data for Florida locations.

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) tied or broken during May (compiled from NOAA, NWS).