Prepared by Lydia Stefanova and David F. Zierden.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in December were well above normal across the state.The departures from average temperatures in December 2015 were well above normal across the entire state, ranging from +6.2˚F in Key West to +11.9˚F in Tallahassee (Table 1 and Appendix 1). This was the warmest December on record for the majority of long-term reporting stations throughout the state. Numerous maximum and high minimum temperature records were tied or broken across the state in December 2015, including several all-time records for the month of December (Appendix 2).

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

Rainfall totals were varied across the state in December. Rainfall totals for the month were above normal in the Panhandle and South Florida, and below normal in the northern peninsular portion of the state  (Figure 1). Major reporting stations registered departures from normal ranging from -2.37” to +7.78” (Table 2 and Appendix 1), although localized parts of the state saw rainfall totals that were as much as 3” below normal to more than 8” above normal (Figure 1).  December 2015 was the wettest on record for Miami. There were a small number of 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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

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

El Niño Conditions are Present in the Pacific.

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will keep the ENSO Alert System at an El Niño Advisory. El Niño conditions are present, and positive equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) anomalies continue across most of the Pacific Ocean. Over the past month, sea surface temperatures have also been above average across most of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. El Niño is expected to remain strong throughout this winter, with a transition to neutral conditions anticipated during spring or early summer of 2016. The CPC is predicting a strong probability of above-normal rainfall for the entire state and a moderate probability of below-normal temperatures for the northern part of the state through March 2016

Hazardous Weather Events in November.

There were a total of 60 severe weather reports made in Florida during December 2015.  Most of these were related to flooding (21 reports) and storm damage (16 reports).  A cold front passage between December 4th and 5th gave rise to heavy rain and numerous flooding reports from the Miami area, with several street closures in the region. Some areas had water deep enough to stall vehicles. This weather system also brought heavy wind reports (gusts exceeding 40 mph) along the Florida Keys. Waterspouts and a funnel cloud were spotted near Flamingo Key and Key Largo on December 11. Thunderstorms along a low-pressure trough along the Panhandle brought in a series of reports of high winds and storm damage on December 22, including blown-down trees and power outages from wind and lightning. A strong cold front swept through the same area between December 28th and 30th, with wide spread storm damage reports (downed trees and power lines) in and around Pensacola, and reports of flooding on the Apalachicola River. This system also spawned a tornado in Santa Rosa County that was confirmed by radar.

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

Agriculture Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of December, topsoil levels were at mainly (79%) adequate, although some (14%) short values and a few (7%) surplus levels were reported across the state. By the end of the month, the area covered by adequate levels was slightly decreased (to 77%), and a slight increase (to 17%) of short soil moisture extent was reported.The lack of rain in the first few weeks of December allowed farmers in the Panhandle counties to continue cotton and peanut harvesting, although some cotton fields in Washington county remained too wet to harvest. By the third week, peanut harvesting completion rate was at 100%, slightly ahead of last year, and matching the five-year average. Cotton harvesting is nearing completion in Jackson and Walton counties. Sugar cane harvesting continues in Hendry, Glades, Palm Beach, Broward, and St. Lucie counties with no noted delays. Rains received on sugarcane fields are being managed with lateral canals and raised beds. The cold front in the first week of December with rain and winds battered sensitive vegetable crops. Farmers in Palm Beach County planted vegetable crops on raised beds and used lateral canal systems to help minimize damage from standing water after the rains. Bacteria soft rot on tomatoes and peppers and Rhizoctonia root rot on beans was evident due to warm and humid conditions. Miami-Dade County farmers reported 50 percent of vegetable crops in the ground were flooded, damaged, or totally lost due to heavy rainfall in the first part of December. As the month continued, warm and wet weather conditions in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties lowered vegetable yields and quality. Warm conditions accelerated maturity in vegetable crops, and at the same time negatively affected yields and quality. Cattle and pasture condition ratings are mainly good – rains have kept pastures green and growing, although plant diseases are more prevalent than usual for this time of the year. Most of the citrus growing region is drought free, with only the eastern edge of Orange and Volusia County, most of Osceola County, and Brevard County experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Growers were irrigating as needed and spraying for psyllids. Mowing was being reduced to an as needed basis, mostly before harvest.

Drought Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of December, approximately 83% of the state was drought free, with the remainder of the state experiencing abnormally dry (D0) conditions, with a very small pocket of moderate drought (D1) conditions in Miami-Dade County. Rains in the first week of December eliminated the D1 conditions and shrank the D0 area to less then 8%. D0 conditions persisted throughout the month in Dixie, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, and parts of Lafayette, Baker, Nassau, Seminole and Orange Counties. D0 conditions appeared after the second week of December in Suwannee, and parts of Columbia and Hamilton Counties, and remained in place for the remainder of the month. By the end of December, 88% of the state is drought-free, and the remaining 12% are experiencing abnormally dry conditions. The water level in Lake Okeechobee at the end of the month is about 14.76 ft., slightly up from the beginning of the month.

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

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

Prepared by Lydia Stefanova and David F. Zierden.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in January were slightly below normal across most of the state.After the record-breaking warm December, temperatures have returned close to the seasonal normal. The departures from average temperatures in January 2016 were mostly near normal to below normal across the entire state, ranging from -2.0˚F in Jacksonville to +0.7˚F in Key West (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Few maximum and minimum temperature records were tied or broken across the state in January (Appendix 2).

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

Rainfall totals in January were above normal for most of the state. . Most of the state – particularly the Florida Peninsula – had well above normal rainfall, and parts of North Florida had slightly below normal rainfall (Figure 1). Major reporting stations registered departures from normal ranging from -0.69” to +11.04” at Fort Myers (Table 2 and Appendix 1), and localized parts of western Panhandle saw rainfall totals that were as much as 4” below normal (Figure 1). January 2016 was the wettest January on record in Ft Myers, Miami, Melbourne and Vero Beach. There were a number of 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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

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

El Niño Conditions are Present in the Pacific.

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will keep the ENSO Alert System at an El Niño Advisory. El Niño conditions remain present, and positive equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) anomalies continue across most of the Pacific Ocean. This strong El Niño is expected to gradually weaken through spring 2016 and transition to neutral during late spring or early summer 2016. CPC predicts slightly below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation across the state for February to April 2016.

Hazardous Weather Events in January.

There were a total of 307 severe weather reports made in Florida during January. Over half of these came from just two days, January 15th and 17th. Moist warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front sweeping through the state created strong instability over the region, resulting in widespread thunderstorms with heavy precipitation, high winds, and even several tornadoes. Widespread storm damage from this system including downed trees and power lines was reported from the Panhandle to South Florida. An EF2 tornado in Manatee County on the 17th was responsible for two fatalities and several injuries; several other tornadoes were confirmed in South Central Florida damaging multiple homes. A tornado striking a beach community in Sarasota left nearly 17000 residents without power. Earlier in the month, on January 9th, another powerful tornado – with peak winds of 132 mph – near Cape Coral caused minor injuries, damaged nearly 180 homes and brought down power lines. Several more tornadoes, funnel clouds and waterspouts were spotted during this month. The high number of such events is consistent with the strong El Niño present in the Pacific. The next major cluster of hazardous weather events was observed on January 22-23. Snow flurries were reported from Gainesville to Jacksonville. High winds and were seen from Pensacola to the Florida Key, with storm damage to buildings, trees and power lines reported mostly in the Panhandle and along the Atlantic Coast.

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

Agriculture Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of January, most (88%) of the state reported adequate topsoil levels; some surplus (8%) and short (11%) values were reported as well. Due to the heavy rains, by the end of the month the surplus values increased in coverage to 27%, and the extent of adequate topsoil levels went down to 68%. Wet fields delayed completion of harvesting of some cotton, peanut and soybean fields. Pasture conditions in the southeast were mostly poor due to standing water from heavy rains. Cool season forage (clover and ryegrass) was a failure in Flagler and Dixie counties. By the end of the month, 19% of Florida’s pastures are classified as poor or very poor, however the majority are in a good (42%) or fair (35%) condition. The condition of cattle across the state is mostly (64%) good or fair (23%). The heavy rains have exacerbated some vegetable disease conditions and disrupted planning and harvesting activities for fruit and vegetables. High winds have also been a problem for crops, causing lodging and damage. Low volumes coming to market have led to higher prices of many vegetable crops

Drought Related Impacts. 

At the end of December, Florida was 88% drought-free. Thanks to abundant rainfall, by the end of the month almost 99% of the state is drought-free. Lake Okeechobee levels are very high (16.14’’) following the exceptionally heavy rainfall in South Florida, which also required back-pumping of water into the lake to provide flood protection to surrounding areas.

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

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

Prepared by Lydia Stefanova and David F. Zierden.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in February were mostly below normal across most of the state in February. Average temperatures in February 2016 were mostly below normal across the entire state with the exception of the western Panhandle. The departure from normal temperatures ranged from -2.8˚F in Ft Lauderdale to +1.9˚F in Pensacola (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Most inland stations north of Orlando saw between two and five instances of overnight temperatures dipping below freezing. A small number of temperature records, mostly high minimum, were tied or broken early in the month (Appendix 2).

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

Rainfall totals in February were varied across the state. Rainfall amounts around the state were varied (Figure 1). Major reporting stations registered departures from normal ranging from -0.9” in St Petersburg to +2.23” at Key West (Table 2 and Appendix 1), although localized parts of the state saw rainfall totals that were as much as 3” below normal to 8” above normal (Figure 1). There were very few 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3). As a whole, the winter season (December 2015 through February 2016) was the wettest on record for Fort Myers, Miami, and Vero Beach, and among the top three wettest on record for most South Florida stations.

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

El Niño Conditions are Present in the Pacific.

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will keep the ENSO Alert System at an El Niño Advisory. El Niño conditions remain present, and positive equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) anomalies continue across most of the Pacific Ocean.CPC expects the El Niño conditions will transition into ENSO-neutral during late spring or early summer 2016, with a possible transition to La Niña conditions in early fall. The seasonal outlook through April 2016 indicates an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall and near-normal temperatures for Florida.

Hazardous Weather Events in January.

There were a total of 269 severe weather reports made in Florida during February. The bulk of these (208) were the result of just two cold front systems and their associated squall lines sweeping over the state on 15-16th (95 reports) and 23-24th (113 reports). Both systems produced high winds across the state, caused multiple instances of storm damage from Pensacola to Miami, and even spawned several tornadoes. Between 15th and 16th, tornadoes were spotted in Escambia, Jackson, Glades, Collier, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties. Some of these caused significant damage to structures, as well as downed trees and power lines. The most significant tornado, categorized as an EF3, with winds as high as 155mph, touched down in Pensacola in the late evening of Feb 23. Damage assessment documented at least 37 destroyed, 76 major and 100 minor damaged structures in its path but fortunately no fatalities. The amount of destruction prompted the declaration of a state of emergency for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

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

Agriculture Related Impacts. 

Following the heavy rains in January, at the beginning of February most reported topsoil moisture levels were either adequate (51%), or surplus (45%). By the end of the month, the proportion of surplus levels has been reduced to 33%, and 60% of topsoil levels are reported as adequate. Winter wheat and other grains have suffered some damage due to excessive rains over the preceding weeks. Fields in some northern counties that had been negatively affected by heavy rains in January had dried out sufficiently by mid-month to allow for the beginning of spring planting preparations. Subsequent rains have slowed these efforts down. Excessive rain and below-normal temperatures over the past several weeks in South Florida have impacted vegetable production, reducing quality and quantity of yields. Citrus harvesting is proceeding with slight delays in some areas due to rain, and with irrigation in areas that have experienced only light rain over the past weeks. Pasture ratings across the state are mostly in the “fair” category (41%), followed by “good” (32%) and “poor” (20%). Pastures in some counties (Jackson, Washington, Dixie, Orange, Seminole) were in poor condition due to previous flooding and frost. Some ranchers are providing supplemental feed to compensate for the reduced pasture quality. Warmer weather and increasing daylight times are expected to improve pasture conditions.

Drought Related Impacts. 

According to the US Drought Monitor, at the end of January, 99% of the state was drought-free. As of the most recent report, issued on February 23, the entire state is drought-free. As a consequence of the record seasonal rainfall amounts in South Florida, water level in Lake Okeechobee at the end of the month were unusually high - about 15.89’, or 1.38’ above normal for this time of the year. To provide relief from these high water levels and afford flood protection for downstream areas, water managers in the region are pumping some of the excess water into a large water detainment facility in Miami-Dade County.

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

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

Prepared by Lydia Stefanova and David F. Zierden.
Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures were above normal across the state in April. The departures from average temperatures in April 2016 were above normal across the state, ranging from +0.6˚F in Key West to +3.1˚F in Tallahassee (Table 1 and Appendix 1). In North Florida, minimum temperatures as low as in the upper 40s were seen during several days of the month. Most reporting stations across the state recorded between one and two days with maximum temperatures as high as in the low 90s.

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

Rainfall totals in April were varied across the state. Rainfall totals were above normal for the month across the Panhandle, and below normal for the rest of the state (Figure 1). Major reporting stations registered departures from normal ranging from -2.16” in Fort Lauderdale to +6.49” in Tallahassee (Table 2 and Appendix 1), although localized parts of the state saw rainfall totals that were as much as 4” below normal to 8” above normal (Figure 1). April 2016 was the 6th driest on record for Fort Lauderdale. There were very few 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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).

El Niño Conditions in the Pacific are present and weakening.

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has the ENSO Alert System at an El Niño Watch. Positive equatorial sea surface temperatures (SST) anomalies continue across most of the Pacific Ocean. A transition to ENSO-neutral conditions is likely during the late spring or early summer 2016, with an increasing chance of La Nina during the second half of the year. CPC predicts an increased likelihood of above-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures for Florida for the May-July period of 2016.

Hazardous Weather Events in April.

There were a total of 76 hazardous weather reports filed in April. The majority of these were for high winds and hail (see Table 4 for a full breakdown). A frontal passage on April 2nd brought high winds, with gusts up to 50-60 mph reported in Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Volusia Counties. Isolated flooding on that date was reported in Tallahassee, and minor storm damage was reported in Daytona Beach. In the morning of April 7th, what was likely a tornado downed powerlines and trees in Clearwater and New Port Richey, leaving thousands of customers without power. A frontline stalled over central Florida between the 14th and 15th and spawned numerous hail-producing thunderstorms. Hailstones up to 2” were reported by observers in Palm Beach and Polk County, and up to 1.5” in Martin County. Hail reports also came in from Indian River and Sumter Counties. A large wildfire of unknown origin spread across nearly 4000 acres in the Everglades spread between April 10th and 16th. Thanks to prior prescribed burning in the area, the spread was limited on most sides, and ground and aerial crews were eventually able to contain the fire and avert damage to structures. Unfortunately, hazardous weather in April was responsible for two fatalities in the state: one the result of a lightning strike near Palm Beach on April 15th, and the other the result of strong rip currents off of Jacksonville Beach on April 16th.

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

Agriculture Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of the month, most (76%) soil ratings fell into the category of “adequate”, with additional 10% of ratings falling into the “short” and 13% into the “surplus” category. The overall lack of rain towards the second half of the month, combined with warmer temperatures, has reduced soil moisture values. By the end of April, only 56% of soil moisture values were classified as adequate, and the percentage of short values increased to 32%.
Throughout the month, planting of corn, cotton and peanuts was underway in the Panhandle Counties, with occasional interruptions due to wet conditions. Pasture and cattle conditions in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Highlands Counties remain in mostly good condition thanks to warmer and dryer weather. The citrus-growing area remains largely drought free, but most groves have required irrigation several times a week. The citrus tree bloom is over and small pea- to marble-size fruit for next season crop has started developing. The weather has been mostly favorable for fruit and vegetable planting, as well as harvesting.

Drought Related Impacts. 

At the end of March, about 20 percent of the state - including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levi, Madison, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union counties - was affected by abnormally dry conditions. Early in April, Flagler and Volusia counties were also briefly added to the list. Beneficial rains in the first two weeks of the month helped most of the affected counties, leaving only Levi, Marion, Alachua, Putnam, Clay, and St. Jones in conditions of abnormal drought by the end of the month. As of the most recent US Drought Monitor report, issued on April 26, 93.4% of the state is drought-free. The water level at lake Okeechobee at the end of the month was at 14.2’, which is above the average for this time of the year.

 

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

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