>> POINT STRONG STORMS NOW A WEAKENING NO MORE LIGHTNING FOR NOW. BUT LOOKING AT STILL SOME HEAVY RAIN, ESPECIALLY FOR MUCH OF LEE COUNTY NEAR COASTAL SPOTS, CAPE CORAL, HEAVY RAIN ALONG VETERANS PARKWAY UP THROUGH EVEN THE NORTHWEST PART OF CAPE CORAL. AND WE’RE SEEING THIS LIFTING UP INTO CHARLOTTE COUNTY PORT CHARLOTTE, GORDA, DEEP CREEK. SO THE SPOTTY DOWNPOURS AND THIS ALL CONTINUES TO MOVE JUST TO THE NORTHEAST. SO NORTH FORT MYERS, 9.26, SUNCOAST ESTATES 9.38 SO WHILE WE’RE NOT SEEING THE LIGHTNING THREAT, INITIAL SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IMPACTING THE COAST OFF AND ON AGAIN, THIS WILL NOT BE THE SET UP THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY. MUCH OF THE SCATTERED STORMS NOW BUILDING EAST OF I-75 HEADING INTO THE LATE AFTERNOON. THAT’S THANKS TO A MORE PRONOUNCED ONSHORE WINDS LATER IT JUST GOT IN OUR UPDATED WEEKLY DROUGHT MONITOR. FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS. SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR EXTREME DROUGHT FROM LAST WEEK’S WHERE THE ENTIRE REGION WAS UNDER EXTREME DROUGHT. AND NOW SEEING MANY POCKETS JUST TO THE EAST OF I-75 DOWNGRADED TO SEVERE DROUGHT. SO NICE TO SEE SOME MUCH NEEDED RAIN AS WE ARE OFFICIALLY IN THE RAINY SEASON HELPING US OUT. HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH VERY A SIGNIFICANT RAIN OPPORTUNITIES THRO
Drought finally improves for parts of the Gulf Coast
Many communities are still facing extreme drought across Southwest Florida.
Updated: 9:21 AM EDT May 28, 2026
Drought has finally started to improve for parts of the Gulf Coast! Thursday’s update showed coastal regions downgraded to severe drought thanks to the return of the rainy season. Most of the region is still facing extreme drought. Over the past month, most coastal communities have picked up well over the average monthly May rainfall. Cape Coral has picked up over 200 percent of normal rainfall over the last 30 days! However, many inland communities have picked up less than 50 percent. While we’ve made some progress in May, we still have to make up for a large rainfall deficit so far this year. Some coastal communities need over 20 inches of rain in order to eliminate drought. As we head into June, our average monthly rainfall jumps to over 9 inches! The rainy season runs through October 15. However you watch or scroll, we’re committed to delivering your Gulf Coast Weather Most Accurate Forecast, one you can rely on every day, wherever you are.Live Interactive Radar: Track conditions in real time with the Gulf Coast Live Radar.Watch Gulf Coast Weather: Find the latest weather forecast videos, streaming live or on demand, on TV and online.Stream on the Go: Download the free Gulf Coast News app to watch on your phone or tablet.Your Gulf Coast Weather TeamChief Meteorologist Allyson RaeMeteorologist Caroline CastoraMeteorologist Jim DickeyMeteorologist Lauren HopeMeteorologist Raphael TavernierMeteorologist Rob DunsMeteorologist Sara BlueFollow on Social: Follow, like and subscribe to Gulf Coast News on social media to share your tips and be part of the conversation with Southwest Florida’s most experienced, trusted weather team: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | Bluesky | Nextdoor | XDOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Drought has finally started to improve for parts of the Gulf Coast! Thursday’s update showed coastal regions downgraded to severe drought thanks to the return of the rainy season. Most of the region is still facing extreme drought.
Over the past month, most coastal communities have picked up well over the average monthly May rainfall. Cape Coral has picked up over 200 percent of normal rainfall over the last 30 days! However, many inland communities have picked up less than 50 percent.
Gulf Coast News
30-Day Percent of Normal Rainfall
While we’ve made some progress in May, we still have to make up for a large rainfall deficit so far this year. Some coastal communities need over 20 inches of rain in order to eliminate drought.
Gulf Coast News
Rainfall Deficit
As we head into June, our average monthly rainfall jumps to over 9 inches! The rainy season runs through October 15.
However you watch or scroll, we’re committed to delivering your Gulf Coast Weather Most Accurate Forecast, one you can rely on every day, wherever you are.
Live Interactive Radar: Track conditions in real time with the Gulf Coast Live Radar.
Watch Gulf Coast Weather: Find the latest weather forecast videos, streaming live or on demand, on TV and online.
Stream on the Go: Download the free Gulf Coast News app to watch on your phone or tablet.
Your Gulf Coast Weather Team
Follow on Social: Follow, like and subscribe to Gulf Coast News on social media to share your tips and be part of the conversation with Southwest Florida’s most experienced, trusted weather team: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | Bluesky | Nextdoor | X
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest breaking news and weather alerts. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.