Will new cold front help drought conditions in Florida? Number of wildfires up to 67
After another dry weekend, drought conditions in Florida continue to expand.
And so does the number of wildfires across the state.
Friday, there were 58 active wildfires. Monday morning, the number was up to 67, burning more than 28,000 acres across the state.
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The biggest fire is the 344 Fire in south Miami-Dade County, which has burned almost 27,000 acres. Firefighters gained ground over the weekend, and the fire was 80% contained as of Sunday night, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Card Sound Road, one of only two routes to the Florida Keys, remained closed Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. U.S. 1 was open as of 7:30 a.m.
Most of Florida's peninsula is abnormally dry, with two large sections of the state under severe drought conditions, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index average for Florida is 325 on a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.
As of Sunday, March 23, there are 11 Florida counties with an average Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger. Another 15 of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.
Broward: 657
Charlotte: 519
Collier: 596
Glades: 569
Hardee: 502
Hendry: 581
Lee: 557
Martin: 546
Miami-Dade: 648
Monroe: 597
Palm Beach: 617
The National Weather Service in Miami warned South Florida residents, which is under severe drought conditions, another dry and warm day is ahead Monday, March 24.
Chances for rain increase slightly Tuesday, March 25, with a 20% to 30% chance for rain in South Florida as a front moves through.
Along Florida's west coast, another area suffering from drought conditions, the weak cold front is expected Monday night, bringing a chance for showers tonight and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay.
In Florida's Panhandle and across North Florida, where conditions are less dry, some rain could arrive Monday, March 24.
In Northeast Florida, isolated thunderstorms are expected Monday.
In the Tallahassee area, a few strong thunderstorms and hail are possible throughout much of the day Monday.
In the western Panhandle, showers and thunderstorms were pushing through the area Monday morning. While most storms are "fairly weak, still can't rule out gusty winds or small hail in the strongest storms the next few hours," the National Weather Service Mobile posted on X early Monday morning.
On Saturday, March 22, Vero Beach set a new record low for the date, dropping to 39 degrees.
The previous record was 40 in 1996, according to the National Weather Service, Melbourne.
Above-average temperatures in the mid to upper 80s were forecast for Monday, March 24.
We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida brush fires burn 30,000 acres. When will it rain?
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