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

Average temperatures in May were mostly above normal across the state. The departures from average temperatures in May 2017 were above normal for most of the state, ranging from -0.3˚F in Orlando to +2.8˚F in Melbourne (Table 1 and Appendix 1). May 2017 was the 2nd warmest on record in Miami, 4th warmest in Tampa, 6th warmest in Fort Myers, and 7th warmest in Fort Lauderdale. Maximum temperatures at or above 95˚F were observed on several days of the month for many stations across peninsular Florida. A number of warm temperature records were tied or broken across the state (Appendix 2).  

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

Rainfall totals in May were mixed. Rainfall totals in May 2017 were above normal in most of the panhandle and parts of peninsular Florida, and below normal for portions of central and south Florida (Figure 1). Departures from average roughly ranged from -2.65” in Miami to 2.90” in Pensacola (Table 2 and Appendix 1), though localized parts of the state saw rainfall totals that were as much as 5.00” below normal to 8.00” above normal (Figure 1).  A few 24-hour precipitation records were broken for the month (Table 3).

Table 2: May precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for select 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 are Present in the Pacific.   

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) the ENSO alert system is currently set to “Not Active”. ENSO-neutral conditions are currently present, with sea surface temperatures (SST) near- to above-average across most of the Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral and El Nino conditions are approximately equally favored through summer and fall seasons. The CPC seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures for Florida through August 2017.

Hazardous Weather Events in May.

There were a total of 301 hazardous weather reports issued in Florida in May 2017. The majority of reports concerned high winds and storm damage (see Table 4). The first cluster of such reports was associated with a cold front entering the state from the northwest on the 1st and sweeping over the state over the next two days, quickly followed by a second one between the 3rd and 6th. High winds in that time span were reported in Alachua, Bay, Columbia, Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Levy, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, St Johns and St Lucie County. Storm damage was reported in a number of these counties, including downed trees and power lines in Duval, Franklin, Jefferson, Levy, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa County. Hail with diameter of 0.88 inches was seen in Hillsborough County on the 6th. 

On the 12th, a line of strong thunderstorms was observed between DeFuniak Springs in Walton County to Tallahassee in Leon County. Thunderstorm wind gusts of 59mph were measured in Leon County; downed trees and branches and some power outages were reported in Walton, Jackson, Leon and Wakulla Counties. Strong thunderstorm wind gusts up to 49mph were measured in Brevard, Volusia, Duval and St. Johns Counties on the following day. Hernando County reported heavy rain from several home weather stations, with 6-hour accumulations up to 8.7 inches.

Nearly a third (90) of all hazardous weather reports for the month occurred on the 24th, when another strong cold front swept through the state. High winds (both non-thunderstorm and thunderstorm wind gusts) and storm damage (downed trees, some vehicle and minor damage to fences and roofs) were reported across the state, from Pensacola to Jacksonville across the panhandle, and throughout the peninsular portion of the state all the way to Key West. Some heavy rains were observed in Jacksonville and its vicinity. 

Between the 30th and 31st, a low-level trough gave rise to a thunderstorms over the northwest and central portions of the state, with reports of strong thunderstorm winds and storm damage in Alachua, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Hillsborough, Nassau, Orange, and St. Johns Counties. Heavy rainfall was observed with some of these thunderstorms.  Two waterspouts were reported during this period, one along the St. Johns River in Clay County, and the other just offshore from Jacksonville Beach in Duval County. There were several reports of hail for this period, in Alachua, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, and St. Johns Counties, with hailstone diameter up to 2 inches. 

A number of waterspouts have been observed throughout the month along the lower Florida Keys, consistent with the typical increase of frequency associated with warm season months. 

Two incidents involving rip currents, with several injuries and one fatality, were reported this month, in West Palm Beach and Jupiter Beach. Another hazardous weather-related injury was reported as the result of a lightning strike in Martin County. 

May has been another active month for wildfires. As of the end of the month, there are 28 active wildfires over 100 acres in the state, mostly in the upper two-thirds of the peninsula. Burn bans are currently in effect in Baker, Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, Columbia, Duval, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia Counties.

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

Drought-Related Impacts. 

At the end of April, approximately 23.5% of the state, including most of the southern panhandle and the southeast portion of the peninsula was drought free. As for the remainder of the state, 19% was under abnormally dry conditions (D0), 24% under moderate drought (D1), and 33.5% under severe drought (D2). As the month progressed, drought conditions in most of the affected regions gradually intensified, and extreme drought (D3) conditions were noted in a gradually increasing section of central Florida. As of the latest U. S. Drought Monitor report, issued on May 30, extreme drought (D2) covers 15% of the state, severe drought – 23%, moderate drought – 33%, and 11% is experiencing abnormally dry (D0) conditions. Extreme drought is present in Brevard, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, and small parts of Charlotte, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, and Manatee Counties. In all, moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions are currently affecting an estimated 2.7 million Florida residents. At the end of the month, Lake Okeechobee water levels were at 10.95 ft., which is significantly below average for this time of the year, and nearing the level at which water shortage management actions must be taken. 

Agriculture-Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of May, topsoil moisture levels ranged from very short (23%) to short (41%) or adequate (33%). These values fluctuated throughout the month, with a general tendency for drying out. By the end of the month, very short values accounted for 28% of soils, short – for 44% and adequate for 27%. Most of the citrus growing region has been under either severe or extreme drought, and citrus groves were irrigated daily to supply trees with necessary moisture. Ditches and canals were very dry throughout the region due to insufficient rainfall since the beginning of the year. Vegetable season has been winding down, and some crop fields were abandoned due to heavy insect pressure and disease. Pastures have continued to decline with rising temperatures and worsening drought conditions in many areas. Pastures that received rain have improved, but the overall pasture quality across the state has been fair to poor. In many areas supplemental cattle feeding with hay has been needed, and many farmers have been shipping in hay. Cattle have remained in mostly fair to good condition. Peanut and cotton planting has been progressing well with improving soil moisture conditions in northwest Florida. 

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

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) broken during May (compiled from NOAA, NWS). A value breaking or tying the record for the entire month of May is indicated by ** or *

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

Average temperatures in June were mixed across the state. The departures from average temperatures in June 2017 were slightly below normal in the Panhandle and Central Florida to slightly above normal in South Florida, ranging from -1.7˚F in Orlando to +1.7˚F in Melbourne (Table 1 and Appendix 1). June 2017 was the 2nd warmest on record for Melbourne and 6th warmest on record for Miami. Several temperature records were tied or broken across the state (Appendix 2).  

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

Rainfall totals in June were above normal for most of the state. Rainfall totals in June 2017 were above normal everywhere in the state with the exception of some isolated areas (Figure 1). Departures from normal roughly ranged from -2.14” in Orlando to +14.13” in Pensacola (Table 2 and Appendix 1), with a most areas receiving over one and a half times the normal precipitation for the month. June 2017 was the wettest on record for Gainesville, 2nd wettest on record for Pensacola, 8th for Tallahassee, and 10th for Jacksonville. A few 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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

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

ENSO-Neutral Conditions are Present in the Pacific.   

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) the ENSO alert system is currently set to “Not Active”. ENSO-neutral conditions are currently present, with sea surface temperatures (SST) near- to above-average across most of the Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to persist through summer and fall seasons. The CPC seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures for Florida through September 2017.

Hazardous Weather Events in June.

There were a total of 369 hazardous weather reports issued in Florida in June 2017, with nearly a third of all reports (114) coming in between the 6th and 7th of the month. Strong marine thunderstorm winds were recorded in that period along the Florida Keys and Miami area, and strong thunderstorm wind gusts up to 61 mph were reported in Brevard, Charlotte, Duval, Hillsborough, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach and Polk Counties. Very heavy rains were reported during that period in Collier (up to 10.27 inches in 12 hours and 13.18 inches in 24 hours) and Santa Rosa County (up to 10.26 inches in 24 hours). Parts of Broward, Collier, Flagler, Gilchrist, Leon, Monroe, and Santa Rosa Counties experienced flooding that required street and road closures. 

The first day of June marked the start of Hurricane Season. The first tropical system of the year to impact Florida was Tropical Storm Cindy, which formed in the northwestern Caribbean Sea on the 19th and made landfall in southwestern Louisianna on the 22nd. Significant rainfall associated with Cindy was seen across most of the Panhandle and northern counties, with smaller amounts in Central and southern counties. Heavy rains and flooding were reported in Bay, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington Counties.

As the weather is settling into summer regime, daily sea breeze thunderstorms are becoming a frequent source of heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning. Several lightning-caused house fires were reported in Santa Rosa County on the 15th of the month and Duval County on the 15th and 26th. A lightning strike on the 26th started a wild fire in Brevard County that burned some 800 acres in the St. Johns River Water Management District. At least four people were injured by lightning strikes during June, with one fatality in Broward County on the 17th.  Other hazardous weather related incidents for the month included three injuries and one fatality resulting from rip currents on the 25th in Palm Beach Shores. 

Waterspouts are also becoming more frequent with the summer weather, especially along the Florida Keys and near Miami. A total of 20 sightings were documented during the month, and some of these reports included more than one spout. There were four tornadoes reported for June: a weak EF-0 in Broward County on the 5th, a weak EF-1 in St. Johns County on the 6th, a strong EF-0 in Franklin County on the 20th, and a probable tornado detected based on tree and powerline damage in Okaloosa County on the 21st. Funnel clouds were observed on the 13th in Clay County, the 14th in Duval, the 28th near Flagler Beach, and on the 30th in Hendry County.

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

Drought-Related Impacts. 

At the end of May, only the northwest and southeast portions of the state were drought free, accounting for approximately 17% of the state’s area. Extreme drought affected 15% of the state (particularly Central Florida), severe drought – 23%, and moderate drought – 33%. The remainder of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Abundant and widespread rain eliminated the extreme drought conditions by the first week of the month. In the following weeks, as rains persisted, drought conditions were continuously improving. As of the latest U. S. Drought Monitor report, issued on June 27, the entire state is drought-free for the first time since approximately a year ago. As of June 20th the temporary county-level burn bans have been lifted from all but Charlotte County. Water levels in Lake Okeechobee are currently at 12.37 ft., which is still below average for this time of the year but a significant improvement from the beginning of the month.  

Agriculture-Related Impacts. 

At the beginning of May, topsoil moisture levels ranged from very short (23%) to short (41%) or adequate (33%). These values fluctuated throughout the month, with a general tendency for drying out. By the end of the month, very short values accounted for 28% of soils, short – for 44% and adequate for 27%. Most of the citrus growing region has been under either severe or extreme drought, and citrus groves were irrigated daily to supply trees with necessary moisture. Ditches and canals were very dry throughout the region due to insufficient rainfall since the beginning of the year. Vegetable season has been winding down, and some crop fields were abandoned due to heavy insect pressure and disease. Pastures have continued to decline with rising temperatures and worsening drought conditions in many areas. Pastures that received rain have improved, but the overall pasture quality across the state has been fair to poor. In many areas supplemental cattle feeding with hay has been needed, and many farmers have been shipping in hay. Cattle have remained in mostly fair to good condition. Peanut and cotton planting has been progressing well with improving soil moisture conditions in northwest Florida. 

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

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

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

Average temperatures in July above normal for most the state. The departures from average temperatures in July 2017 were above normal across most of the state, ranging from -0.4˚F in Orlando to +2.8˚F in Pensacola (Table 1 and Appendix 1). Most reporting stations across the state had more than 21 days with high temperatures in the 90s.  For Miami, July 2017 was not only the warmest July on record, but also the warmest of any month on record. It was also the 3rd warmest July for Pensacola, 5th for West Palm Beach, 6th for Tampa, and 10th for Key West. Several high minimum temperature records were tied or broken across the state (Appendix 2).   

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

Rainfall totals in July were mixed across the state. Rainfall totals in July 2017 were below normal in most parts of the Panhandle and mixed in Peninsular Florida (Figure 1). Departures from normal roughly ranged from -1.90” in Pensacola to +10.63” in Gainesville (Table 2 and Appendix 1), although localized parts of the state saw rainfall totals that were as much as 4.00” below normal (Figure 1). July 2017 was the wettest on record for Gainesville – in fact, the rainfall from June to date at Gainesville has already eclipsed the record for the full summer period (June through August). This was also the 7th wettest July on record for Miami, and the 10th for Jacksonville. A number of 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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

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

ENSO-Neutral Conditions are Present in the Pacific.   

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) the ENSO alert system is currently set to “Not Active”. ENSO-neutral conditions are currently present, with sea surface temperatures (SST) near- to above-average across most of the central and east-central Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to persist through into the winter. The CPC seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures for Florida through October 2017.

Hazardous Weather Events in July.

A total of 405 hazardous weather events were logged into the National Weather Service Local Storm Reports Database for Florida in July 2017 (see Table 4 for a breakdown by type). 

Thunderstorms were widespread throughout the month, with strong winds resulting in localized storm damage, rainfall and flooding. 

Wind damage, including downed trees power lines, was reported at different times in 30 counties. Several flooding events required road closures in localized areas, particularly in Duval County on the 30th of the month. Hail with diameter ranging from 0.25’’ to 1.25’’ was reported in Alachua, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, St. Johns and Volusia Counties on different days throughout the months. Lightning strikes in July caused more than fifteen injuries, in Brevard, Broward, Duval, Martin, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Volusia Counties and two fatalities, in Brevard and Okaloosa Counties. Several lightning-caused house fires were reported as well. 

Funnel clouds were observed in Kissimmee on the 8th, in Miami-Dade and West Palm Beach on the 16th, in Seminole, St. Lucie and near I95 in Martin County on the 17th, and off of Flagler Beach on the 23rd. Two brief tornadoes were seen in Orange County on the 8th and an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down near the coast in Duval County on the 23rd. A number of waterspouts were observed during throughout the month, including twenty sightings (some with multiple spouts) along the Florida Keys, eleven sightings near Miami and the Everglades, seven along the west-central coast, and four in the Panhandle.  

Some ten to fifteen heat-related illnesses were reported by Miami Beach Ocean Rescue throughout the day on the 25th. 

A cool front, uncommon for this time of the year, moved over the northern portion of the state in the last days of the month. The atmospheric instability created by its passing, combined with the warm air mass over the Gulf of Mexico, gave rise to a tropical depression which quickly turned into Tropical Storm Emily. In anticipation of heavy rain, a state of emergency was declared for 31 Florida counties. Emily made landfall near Tampa with tropical storm force winds reported from Collier to Manatee Counties, and proceeded northeastward across the Peninsula, bringing locally heavy rains to parts of central Florida.

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

Drought-Related Impacts. 

The entire state was drought-free at the end of June, and remained drought-free throughout July (as of the latest US Drought Monitor Report, issued on July 27th). Water levels in Lake Okeechobee water by the end of the month were at 12.81 ft., which is below normal for this time of the year.  

Agriculture-Related Impacts. 

Topsoil levels across the state have held at mostly adequate throughout the state. Canals and ditches in the citrus growing area have filled up well.  Growers have been doing light irrigation as needed. Pastures have benefitted from plentiful rainfall in most areas, and are in generally good condition. Cattle are seeking shade in the afternoon but are also in generally good condition. Cotton planting has been completed, and corn and tobacco are being harvested. Hay cutting is active, although some delays due to wet conditions have been encountered in Dixie, Lafayette, Levy, Osceola, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia, and Walton Counties. Wet conditions in some fields have delayed application of needed weed and disease control agents and nitrogen supplementation. Sugar cane and rice in south Florida are developing well following adequate rains and plenty of sunshine, and progressing normally for this time of the year. 

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

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

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

Average temperatures in August were above normal for most of the state. The departures from average temperatures in August 2017 were above normal across most of the state, ranging from -0.3˚F in Fort Lauderdale to +2.8˚F in Melbourne (Table 1 and Appendix 1). August 2017 was the warmest on record for Miami (for a second month in a row), 3rd warmest for Tampa, 5th for West Palm Beach, 9th for Key West, and 10th for Pensacola. Several temperature records were tied or broken across the state (Appendix 2).  

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

Rainfall totals in August were mixed. Rainfall totals in August 2017 were above normal in the western Panhandle and along most of the Gulf Coast, and below normal along most of the Atlantic Coast (Figure 1). Departures from normal rainfall at major reporting stations ranged from -3.15” in Key West to +12.78” in Pensacola (Table 2 and Appendix 1). August 2017 was the wettest on record for Fort Myers, and the 2nd wettest for Pensacola. A few 24-hour precipitation records broken for the month (Table 3).

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

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

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

ENSO-Neutral Conditions are Present in the Pacific.   

Based on current data and forecast models, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) the ENSO alert system is currently set to “Not Active”. ENSO-neutral conditions are currently present, with sea surface temperatures (SST) near- to below-average across most of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO-neutral conditions are favored to persist through the winter 2017-2018 season. The CPC seasonal outlook favors above-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation for Florida through November 2017.

Hazardous Weather Events in August.

A total of 184 hazardous weather events were recorded in the NWS Local Storm Reports Database for August 2017.  The largest proportion of these was reports of high winds, followed by reports of flooding, heavy rain, and storm damage (see Table 4 for a summary). Several waterspouts were observed on various dates along the Florida Keys, and near Palm Beach, Flagler Beach, Cocoa Beach and Homestead. Funnel clouds were observed in Escambia, Flagler, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, and St. Johns Counties. An EF-0 tornado was confirmed in the Lower Florida Keys and on the 11th in Indian River County. Thunderstorm wind gusts and wind damage were reported on multiple days throughout the month. Some of the highest reported wind gusts included marine thunderstorm winds with gusts up to 53 mph on the first of the month in parts of south Florida, and a gust wind of 61 mph near St. Augustine on the 9th. A strong downburst with estimated winds of 50-60 mph near Cape Canaveral on the 3rd peeled off a pier roof and caused three minor injuries. Roof and carport damage was also reported on the 18th near Cocoa Beach. Several reports of downed trees and powerlines were logged in on various dates, in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Duval, Gadsden, Jackson, Jefferson, Nassau, St. Johns, Union, and Walton Counties. Twenty-four hour totals exceeding 5’’ were observed in Brevard, Miami-Dade, and Seminole Counties on the first of the month, and in Miami-Dade County on the following day and again on the 27th. Marion County reported 2.5’’ of precipitation falling over a period of 30 minutes on the 18th and Palm Beach – up to 3.36’’ in just over an hour on the 20th. Flash flood waters entering businesses and houses were reported on the first of the month in parts of Miami and Miami Beach, and in Collier County on the 25th. Flooding reports on various days throughout the month encompassed Baker, Broward, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Putnam, Miami-Dade, and Santa Rosa Counties. These included street and road flooding and closures. In Collier, a person was rescued from a vehicle stranded in two feet of water on the 19th, and multiple vehicles were stranded due to flood waters on the 25th. Lightning reports through the month included three injuries (one in Miami-Dade and two in Santa Rosa County), and a handful of house fires (in Duval, Santa Rosa, and Volusia Counties). 

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

Drought-Related Impacts. 

The entire state was drought-free at the end of July, and remained drought-free throughout the first three weeks of August. As of the latest US Drought Monitor Report, issued on August 29th), a small area of abnormally dry (D0) conditions has appeared over the northern portions of Gadsden and Leon Counties. In all, D0 conditions are affecting about half of a percent of the state’s area. 

Water levels in lake Okeechobee at the end of the month were at 13.54 ft., which is still below normal for this time of the year.

Agriculture-Related Impacts. 

By the end of July soil moisture levels were predominantly adequate.  Soil moistures remained at predominantly adequate levels, with some surplus values and a few short values present as well. The citrus area received sufficient rainfall throughout the month. A few areas that received less rainfall required some irrigation; canals and ditches in most areas have had sufficient water for irrigation. Overall the citrus crop is in good condition. Cattle and pasture conditions have held in mostly good condition in most parts of the state, thanks to the adequate rainfall and warm temperatures. Too much rain in Bradford County caused a problem for some cattle, and too little rain in Holmes County affected pasture quality.  Hay cutting in Bradford, Dixie, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, Taylor, and Volusia Counties was slowed down because of wet conditions. Disease pressure is becoming an issue for cotton producers in Holmes County and some peanut producers in Jackson County. Harvesting is underway for sweet potatoes in Madison County, for field corn in Jackson County, and for tobacco in Columbia and Lafayette Counties. Peanut harvesting has just begun in Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, and Jackson Counties. Growers are reporting that sugarcane is in progressing well and is in good conditions. Vegetable growers in south Florida have been preparing fields for fall plantings, and have experienced some delays because of heavy rains.  

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

Appendix 2: Select daily maximum and minimum temperature records (° F) broken during August (compiled from NOAA, NWS). **Indicates an all time record.