Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

April Key Points:

• Temperatures were above normal across the Florida Peninsula and near or below normal across much of the northern part of the state.
• Rainfall was above normal across the state, except in parts of southern Florida.
• La Niña Advisory continued but weakened with an 80% chance for a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during the next month or so.
• Strong storms swept through the South on April 9-10, with heavy rain, quarter to nearly golf ball-sized hail, and multiple reports of tornadoes.
• Abnormally dry conditions persisted across the southern Peninsula, with moderate drought across Monroe and parts of Collier counties.

Average temperatures in April were near or below normal across much of the Panhandle and northern parts of the state and above normal across southern Florida. Average temperature departures ranged from -1.3 ̊F in Jacksonville to +2.4 ̊F in Key West for the month (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). There were several daily high maximum and high minimum temperature records set during the month, mostly across the Florida Peninsula (see Appendices 2 and 3).

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

Rainfall totals in April were above normal across most of the state but below normal in parts of south Florida (Figure 1). Monthly departures from normal ranged from -0.94 inches in Key West to +5.97 inches in Pensacola (Table 2 and Appendix 1). Hastings observed its third wettest April on record; Orlando had its fourth wettest April; and Pensacola had its fifth wettest April on record. Many daily precipitation records were also set. Pensacola recorded the highest daily rainfall amount during the month, which occurred on the 10th with 4.03 inches, beating its previous record of 2.61 inches on that day in 1959.

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

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for April (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Advisory; Shifting to ENSO-Neutral.

La Niña conditions continued during April with below average sea surface temperatures over the tropical east-central to eastern Pacific Ocean. However, forecasters estimate a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions is likely in the next month or so (an ~80% chance during May-July). ENSO-neutral conditions are then expected to continue at least through the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Hazardous Weather Events in April.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 449 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of April (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). Severe weather swept through the southern U.S. on April 9-10, resulting in at least 3 fatalities, damaging buildings, and leaving thousands without power in Florida. NWS confirmed 4 tornadoes in the Panhandle during that weekend, along with high winds and quarter to just under golf ball-sized hail. A wildfire was reported in Homestead on the 30th with no immediate threats or endangerments.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of April (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

By the end of April 2021, abnormally dry conditions persisted across southern Florida. Moderate drought (D1) developed in southern Florida across Monroe County and parts of Collier and Miami-Dade counties. From early to mid-April, abnormally dry conditions existed across much of the Florida Peninsula. Moderate drought had developed across Monroe and Collier counties and stretching into Broward and Palm Beach counties. By the end of the month, however, moderate drought conditions were alleviated in Broward and Palm Beach counties. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 14 percent of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions (D0) and 4 percent was experiencing moderate drought (D1) by the end of the month.

As of April 30, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 14.03 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is near to slightly above the average for this time of the year. At the first of the month, the water level was 14.44 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

During mid-April, topsoil moisture levels were adequate for 67% of the state, short in 25%, and very short in 3%, while 5% of the state was in surplus. By the end of April, topsoil moisture levels were adequate in 57% of the state, short in 36%, and very short in 2% of the state; 5% of the state was in surplus. Most of the state had either fair (39%) or good (36%) pasture and range conditions by the end of the month. For more information, consult the weekly Crop Progress and Conditions report published by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Appendix 1
Additional April departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record high maximum temperatures tied or broken during April (compiled from NOAA).

Appendix 3
Select daily record high minimum temperatures tied or broken during April (compiled from NOAA).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in January were near normal across much of the state. Most locations were within 2 ̊F from normal average temperatures, with most locations slightly above normal (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). Departures from normal ranged from +2.4 ̊F in Pensacola to -0.2 ̊F in Key West. No temperature records were set during the month of January.

Table 1.  January average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in January were generally below average across the state. Monthly departures from normal ranged from -0.53 inches in Key West to -2.89 inches in Gainesville (Table 2 and Appendix 1). The central Panhandle in the Big Bend region was an exception, with rainfall departures in Tallahassee at +2.47 inches (Figure 1). There were no rainfall records set during the month of January.

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

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for January (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Conditions in the Pacific.

La Niña conditions are forecasted to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter and early spring from January to March (~95% chance), with a possible transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during the spring (55% chance during April to June). As La Niña conditions persist, above-average temperatures and drier than average conditions are expected to continue across much of the southern tier of the U.S. over the next couple of months.

Hazardous Weather Events in January.

There were 57 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded in Florida during the month of January (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). A strong line of thunderstorms moved through central parts of the Panhandle on the 27th, with reports of tornadoes in Leon County around Tallahassee and the surrounding area. One tornado was reported at the Tallahassee airport, which knocked over one plane and damaged other planes, causing a temporary shutdown of the airport.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of January (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

Portions of the state experienced abnormally dry conditions in January; however, no areas experienced drought conditions. During January, abnormally dry conditions (D0) emerged in the extreme northwestern Panhandle region, while abnormally dry conditions expanded across the northern part of the peninsula, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Roughly 12% of the state was moderately dry in January. Dry conditions are expected to continue, and the seasonal drought outlook indicates that drought development is likely through the spring in parts of Florida.

As of January 31, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 15.47 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is above average for this time of the year. At the first of the month, the water level was 15.81 ft. above sea level and slowly decreased throughout the month.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

The weekly Crop Progress and Condition reports published by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service are produced during the growing season months only, from April to November. The Crop Progress - State Stories, produced monthly December through March, for Florida indicates that pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good throughout January. Cattle conditions also remained fairly good during the month. Despite cold temperatures during the third week of January, sugarcane planting and harvesting continued with no damages reported; however, disease in strawberries was noted late in the month. Wind and large temperature swings have led to weakening of watermelon seedlings in south Florida.

Appendix 1
Additional January departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures continued to be well above average across the state in November. Most places in Florida were warm throughout the month with average temperatures above normal, much like the contiguous U.S. which had its 4th warmest November on record. Departures from normal across the state ranged from +1.4 ̊F in Key West to over +6 ̊F in the Panhandle (Table 1 and Appendix 1). West Palm Beach observed its second warmest November on record (1888-2020). Both maximum and minimum temperatures were well above average during the month across the state as well. Many high daily minimum temperature records were set during the month; Tampa observed its highest daily minimum temperature on record at 78 ̊F on the 10th (1890-2020). Additionally, many record daily high maximum temperatures were set, particularly during the middle of the month (Appendix 2).

Table 1.  November average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in November were mixed, with wetter than normal conditions in the southern half of the state and drier than normal conditions in the northwestern and Panhandle regions. The Panhandle observed monthly precipitation departures from normal ranging from -3.5 inches in Crestview to -1.3 inches in Perry. Conversely, the Peninsula experienced wetter conditions during the month, with departures from normal ranging from +1.6 inches in Orlando to over +11 inches in Fort Lauderdale (Table 2 and Figure 1). From November 8-12th, Tropical Storm Eta impacted portions of west-central and southern Florida, contributing between 5 and 10 inches of rainfall in these areas. On the 11th, Sarasota-Bradenton observed its wettest November day on record (since 1911) with 6.41 inches of rainfall. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Homestead, and Sarasota all experienced their wettest Novembers on record.

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

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for November 2020 (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

Strong La Niña Conditions in the Pacific.

La Niña strengthened in the tropical Pacific in October, as indicated by sea surface temperature indices in the two westernmost Niño regions. La Niña will continue through the winter (100% chance) with conditions expected to remain strong. La Niña conditions are expected to continue into spring (~65% chance during March-May). La Niña winters tend to favor above-average temperatures and dry conditions across the southern tier of the U.S.

Hazardous Weather Events in November.

There were 676 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded in Florida during the month of November (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). Tropical Storm Eta made initial landfall on Lower Matecumbe Key, FL on the 8th with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and several reports of wind gusts exceeding 50 mph. The storm made a second landfall on the 12th near Cedar Key, FL. The storm impacted central and southern parts of the Florida Peninsula, with numerous reports of flooded roadways and homes as the storm moved north and east across the state. With the close of November, the 2020 record-breaking hurricane season has officially ended. Tropical Storm Eta was the 12th named storm to make landfall in the U.S. during this season, which broke the previous annual record of 9 landfalls set in 1916.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of November (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

During the month of November, drought did not impact any part of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry conditions (D0) affected a small area in the extreme northeastern most section of the state expanding into parts of Georgia. Continuing La Niña conditions are expected to result in a dry winter pattern across the Southeast U.S. region.

As of November 30, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 16.12 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is above average for this time of the year. At the beginning of November, the water level was at 16.26 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

In mid-November, topsoil moisture levels were adequate in 53% of the state, short in 9% of the state, and 38% of the state had a surplus. By the end of November, topsoil moisture levels were adequate in 66% of the state, short in 10%, and 24% of the state was in surplus. For more information, consult the weekly Crop Progress and Condition reports published by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Appendix 1
Additional November departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily maximum temperature records tied or broken during November (compiled from NOAA).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in December were below normal across the state, finishing the year on a slightly cooler note. Departures from normal across the state ranged from +0.6 ̊F in Pensacola to -5 ̊F in Titusville (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). Average maximum temperatures were near or slightly below normal across much of the state, while average minimum temperatures were well below normal, as much as -5 ̊F to -6 ̊F in central Florida. Many records were set for lowest daily maximum temperatures during the month, as well as lowest daily minimum temperatures (Appendices 2-3). Only one daily high maximum temperature record was set and that was in Ft. Lauderdale Beach with a record 85 ̊F set on the 1st of the month (beating the previous record of 84 ̊F set in 2016); no daily high minimum temperature records were set.

Table 1.  December average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in December were slightly below or below average across most of the state. Monthly departures from normal ranged from approximately -0.5 inches in Jacksonville and Gainesville to -1.85 inches in Melbourne (Table 2 and Appendix 1). While December was dry overall, there were exceptions. The southwestern peninsula experienced a surplus of precipitation, with departures from normal ranging from +0.5 inches in Fort Myers to +1.5 inches in Punta Gorda. Pensacola also recorded a surplus of precipitation with +0.21 inches. Despite below normal precipitation in most areas, several daily rainfall records were set, mostly on the 7th, 16th, and 17th of the month.

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

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for December (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Conditions in the Pacific.

La Niña conditions persisted in the tropical Pacific in December, as indicated by well below-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. La Niña is forecasted to continue through the winter and early spring from January to March (~95% chance) with a potential change in spring (~50% chance of Neutral during April-June). As La Niña conditions persist, above-average temperatures and drier than average conditions are expected to continue across the southern tier of the U.S. over the next few months.

Hazardous Weather Events in December.

There were 169 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded in Florida during the month of December (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). A strong cold front moved through the state on the 24th and 25th, bringing thunderstorms and strong winds with reports of wind gusts as high as 40+ mph across much of the state ahead of the front. There were multiple reports of downed trees across northern Florida. Tornadoes were also reported mid-month in the Tampa and Lakeland areas.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of December (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

Drought did not impact any part of the state in December. However, by the end of December, 10.7% of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions (D0) compared to 0.8% at the beginning of the month, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The abnormally dry conditions impacted parts of the Panhandle and northwestern portions of the peninsula. The seasonal drought outlook indicates that drought development is likely through March 2021 in north Florida, including the Panhandle.

As of December 31, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 15.81 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is above average for this time of the year. At the beginning of December, the water level was about 16 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

The weekly Crop Progress and Condition reports published by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service are produced during the growing season months only, from April to November. The Crop Progress - State Stories, produced monthly December through March, indicate that pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good throughout the month. In early December, frosts caused damage to several pastures in the Panhandle and parts of the northern peninsula. Cattle conditions were good or excellent throughout the month, and cotton harvesting finished later than normal during the final week of December. Citrus activities were normal.

Appendix 1
Additional December departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record low maximum temperatures tied or broken during December (compiled from NOAA).

Appendix 3
Select daily record low minimum temperatures tied or broken during December (compiled from NOAA).