WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows modest improvements in parts of Florida after another week of scattered summer rainfall, although drought conditions remain a concern across much of the state.
Beneficial rain helped improve drought conditions in isolated areas of Florida, while parts of the Panhandle saw minor drought deterioration after missing out on the heaviest rainfall over the past month.
Across South Florida, the drought map changed little from last week. There was little to no noticeable improvement across portions of the Treasure Coast and the Lake Okeechobee region, with drought conditions largely holding steady despite recent rounds of scattered thunderstorms.
South Florida drought conditions show little change despite scattered rain. (WPEC)
Most of Palm Beach County and the surrounding region saw little change overall, with drought conditions remaining largely in place despite the active wet season. The latest map shows scattered summer storms have helped slow the drought’s progression, but rainfall has remained uneven from one community to the next.
South Florida drought conditions show little change despite scattered rain. (WPEC)
The improvements come as South Florida continues to experience one of its hottest stretches on record. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, West Palm Beach just recorded its second-warmest month on record, with average temperatures running about 3 degrees above normal.
The combination of persistent heat and uneven rainfall has made it difficult for long-term drought impacts to fully recover. While afternoon thunderstorms have become more common, experts say several weeks of widespread rainfall will be needed to significantly improve groundwater levels, wetlands and other water resources.
Elsewhere in Florida, drought conditions worsened slightly across parts of the Panhandle, where rainfall during the past 30 days has been less than half of normal. The National Drought Mitigation Center also continues to indicate areas of moderate to severe flash drought across portions of the Panhandle and northern Florida.
South Florida drought conditions show little change despite scattered rain. (WPEC)
With the peak of Florida’s rainy season still ahead, additional rounds of widespread rain should continue to chip away at drought conditions, especially where repeated thunderstorms develop.