Florida weather: High wildfire risk as drought conditions continue leaving vegetation bone dry
Florida is bracing for an increased risk of wildfires as a blast of hot and dry
weather
hits the region.
Forecasters estimate
temperatures this week could be between four and eight degrees fahrenheit higher that historical averages for this time of year and this will combine with low humidity levels - a
dangerous cocktail of conditions.
A typical April will usually see comfortable temperatures, medium humidity and minimal thunderstorm activity.
Hot dry weather set to continue
Highs will be in the mid-80s to low 90s through the week but no records are expected to be broken, although in some areas it will come close.
Read More
Related Articles
Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way
Read More
Related Articles
RFK Jr makes wild claim over teenage boys' testosterone and even Jesse Watters is baffled
The massive brush fire shut roads across the Miami-Diade area
According to forecaster Accuweather, intense sunshine combined with these temperatures could make it feel far hotter, as high as 100 degrees.
This could pose health risks to those unaccustomed to the heat after the winter season, and even seasoned
Florida
residents are advised to stay hydrated.
Rainfall has been below-average recently meaning the ground and undergrowth is particularly dry.
Where are the areas at most risk
Orlando has had less than 0.4 inches of rain this month when it usually gets hit by 2.5 inches.
The region is parched, making it particularly vulnerable to wildfires.
Miami Dade Fire Fighters spray water on trees that caught fire on Card Sound Road, during the massive brush fire in the Everglades, South Miami Dade on Mar 20 2025
According to the United States Drought Monitor, conditions across the Florida Peninsula range from abnormally dry to extreme drought.
The mix of intense sunshine, dry brush, arid air, heat and dry, sandy soil will increase the risk of wildfire ignition this week.
The Panhandle areas have avoided the drought conditions.
When does the hot dry blast hit
Central Florida will be partly cloudy on Wednesday, with coastal communities remaining the in the low 80s due to cool sea breezes.
Rain is only expected to return on Sunday and into next week.
As we move further into May, the chances of thunderstorms usually rise as humidity levels increase.
What can Floridians do about it?
Folks are urged to be careful with outdoor power equipment, open flames or anything that can produce sparks.
The National Interagency Fire Center also predicted an above-average season.
Last month, fire crews working in the Miami-Dade area were left battling large wildfires that threatened homes and forced many people to evacuate.
As long as precautions are taken regarding heat exhaustion and outdoor fire safety, this week should be perfect for a trip to the beach, golf course or theme parks.
"Several factors could make this a busy wildfire season, including leftover debris from multiple hurricanes and forecasts calling for less rain this spring," Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said in a statement. "I'm encouraging people to pay attention to the weather, especially wind, relative humidity, and days since rain. Spring is here, and we need to be wildfire ready."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Star
29-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Florida weather: Thunderstorms and rain set to batter state casting fears over Miami Grand Prix
Rain and either thunderstorms are set to slam into Florida , bad news for the racers hoping to compete in the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. This comes amid an ongoing drought across the Florida Peninsula so the rain could offer a slight relief - with a map recently showing which parts of Florida are being impacted by wildfires . In the past few days more than 100 wildfires have been reported burning as parched undergrowth makes the perfect fuel for fires to spread. Estimates suggest 14 million Florida residents are under drought conditions. Some areas, including the counties of Marion, Palm Beach and Hendry, are under extreme drought conditions. In recent weeks, firefighters have been battling wildfires around Miami and the National Weather Service issued drought information statements for Miami on April 23. Read More Related Articles Prince William's role in Pope funeral talks between Trump and Zelensky Read More Related Articles Mark Carney's Liberal Party declared winner of Canada's election as fury rages over Trump Floridians are no strangers to extreme weather (Image: Getty Images) Much needed rain expecte d to soak South Florida Rain is forecasted for much of South Florida as the weekend arrives. On Tuesday, in Miami there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 9am and 3pm. In Orlando, Tuesday brings a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm As the week progresses the weather will be sunny, broken up with cloud cover. Temperatures will jump between low 80s and 70s. As the weekend arrives, when F1 races from across the world gather for the Miami Grand Prix, far more rainy and stormy weather is set to hit. When the bad weather is hitting The National Weather Service is forecasting rain in Miami on Saturday during the day before thunderstorms arrive that evening and continue through Sunday and into Monday. On Saturday, there is a 30 per cent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Sunday has the highest chance of thunderstorms hitting over the weekend, at 40 per cent. Similar odds for Monday. Many will be hoping the rain will put an end to some of the drought conditions but likely far more rain will be needed to put an end to this dry spell. How will it effect the Miami Grand Prix The main race qualifying, which gets underway at 4pm on Saturday, has a high chance of being hit by rain. But intermittent sunny spells should dry the track quickly. The ball is up in the air for Sunday, with some forecasters hoping for a clearer day but others suggesting the possibility of thunder and rain. Droughts continue across the state Currently over half of Florida is under drought conditions, according to latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Integrated Drought Information System. "Florida had another dry week," the agency on April 24. "Some areas have precip deficits over 6' in the last 90 days. Little to no precip is expected for at least another week." It's not just the south that is affected. Much of the northern part of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Florida weather: Drought fears increase as hot dry spell set to continue
There are no signs of reprieve for parts of Florida as drought continues to punish sections of the state. Areas of Central Florida - including Marion, Sumter, Lake and Volusia counties. These areas are still experiencing extreme drought conditions and latest weather reports reveal they are expected to continue to suffer from hot conditions. These counties are highlighted in red above in the latest drought monitor. These red segments indicate a need for urgent rainfall to mitigate the worsening situation . If you're planning outdoor activities, expect a hot and mostly dry Friday in the Orlando area, with hot and dry conditions lasting into the weekend. Read More Related Articles Trump struggles to hide mystery bruise with makeup despite 'excellent health' claims Read More Related Articles Trump to get 'third-tier' seat at Pope's funeral after mocking Biden's position for Queen's service What the weather is? The state is experiencing it's first 'extreme drought' in a long time. It has been eight years since this last event was declared and now, the extreme drought is having an adverse reaction on parts of Florida. Large portions of the region are expected to worsen over the next few days as dry and warm weather continues - before some possible relief on Sunday and Monday. Drought fears worsen as hot dry spell set to continue across Florida Temperatures are set to soar into the 80s as several counties are now under "extreme" drought conditions. This environment has the potential to create the perfect fuel for dangerous wildfires to ignite. Blazes aren't the only thing putting Floridians at risk though. Where is it going to affect? In Miami, temperatures will reach highs of 82F and it will remain sunny and dry throughout the weekend. Tampa could see some of the hottest temperatures, with highs of a sweltering 93F. AccuWeather warns that there is a "possible danger of dehydration and heatstroke while doing strenuous activities." In Orlando, highs could reach 89 on Friday. It will be "mostly sunny and beautiful," according to AccuWeather but Monday will see some thunderstorms forming in the afternoon. Strong breezes are also creating potentially lethal rip current threats to several coastal areas as swimmers have been warned about getting swept out to sea. Drought conditions are worsening across Florida as eight counties have now been categorised under "extreme" conditions, according to the US drought monitor. Extreme drought - referred to as D3 - is the second-highest level, falling only under D4 (classed as exceptional drought). Under extreme drought conditions in the past - the state has experienced extreme fire danger, ground water such as that at Lake Okeechobee reaching extremely low levels and even fish dying due to the blooming of toxic algae. A massive brush fire shut roads across the Miami-Diade area The worsening drought conditions are only set to escalate over the next few days and mostly dry and sunny weather continues across the Sunshine State with temperatures in the 80s. The dry and hot weather creates the perfect conditions for wildfires, or which more than a dozen are already burning across Florida. Miami Dade Fire Fighters spray water on trees that caught fire on Card Sound Road, during the massive brush fire in the Everglades, South Miami Dade last month Burn bans are in effect for 18 counties across the state. However, drought and wildfires aren't the only weather risk Florida is currently facing. Highs will be in the mid-80s to low 90s through the week for many areas, but no records are expected to be broken - although in some areas it will come close. Hot, dry weather is expected to boost wildfire risk in Florida (Image: AccuWeather) When does it start? The drought is already in effect - kicking off fire season which usually takes place between April to June. Already in recent weeks, over 1,000 fires have been reported and the situation does not appear to be showing signs of dying down. Forecasters estimate temperatures this week could be between four and eight degrees fahrenheit higher that historical averages for this time of year and this will combine with low humidity levels - a dangerous cocktail of conditions. Florida began experiencing drought conditions back in January but they have gradually worsened over the past few months. Most of the state is now experiencing a moderate to extreme drought while the rest is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. Florida weather: Map shows drought levels across Florida as several areas struggle under 'extreme' conditions amid wildfire risk (Image: Drought Monitor) The rip current risk in coastal areas is in effect until Saturday evening. When does it end? It has been reported that by Sunday evening - a weak cold front is expected to drift over northern parts of the region. This should slightly increasing rain chances—especially north and west of the I-4 corridor—with isolated showers possible and a 20% chance of rain probable, according to News Six. Any rain will be seen as a long welcomed reprieve by residents living in drought affected areas. As Monday approaches, sea breezes are expected to return and so do higher rain chances, bringing a refreshing break from the heat. Scattered showers and storms are expected across Central Florida Monday afternoon. Chances of rain will climb to within the 30-40% range. Temperatures will dip slightly, offering a bit of relief as we start the new week. Certain Panhandle areas have reportedly avoided the drought conditions. As we move into May, the chances of thunderstorms usually rise as humidity levels increase. There should be some rain in parts of Florida in the next few days but the situation is still concerning Why is it relevant? Residents of Florida are currently being subjected to challenging conditions due to the weather from rip currents on the coast to blazing fires in several parts of the state. These harsh weather conditions could pose health risks to those unaccustomed to the heat after the winter season - and even seasoned Florida residents are advised to stay hydrated. Rainfall has been below-average recently which means the ground and undergrowth is particularly dry. This creates ideal conditions for fires with the amount of fuel available if a blaze breaks out. The mix of intense sunshine, dry brush, arid air, heat and dry, sandy soil will increase the risk of wildfire ignition this week. Wildfire at Miami-Dade County in Florida on March 19, 2025 (Image: Miami-Dade Fire Rescue) People are urged to be careful with outdoor power equipment, open flames or anything that can produce sparks. The National Interagency Fire Center also predicted an above-average season when it comes to blazes. Last month, fire crews working in the Miami-Dade area were left battling large wildfires that threatened homes which forced many people to evacuate. As long as precautions are taken regarding heat exhaustion, rips and outdoor fire safety, this week should be a good time for a trip to the beach, golf course or theme parks. "Several factors could make this a busy wildfire season, including leftover debris from multiple hurricanes and forecasts calling for less rain this spring," Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said in a statement. "I'm encouraging people to pay attention to the weather, especially wind, relative humidity, and days since rain. Spring is here, and we need to be wildfire ready."
Irish Daily Star
25-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Florida weather: Map shows 'extreme' drought sparking wildfire risk and lethal rip current warning
More dry and sunny weather is in store for Florida as drought conditions worsen across the state, sparking wildfire risks . Temperatures are set to soar into the 80s as several counties are now under "extreme" drought conditions, creating the perfect fuel for dangerous wildfires to ignite. Blazes aren't the only thing putting Floridians at risk though. Strong breezes are also creating potentially lethal rip current threats to several coastal areas as swimmers have been warned about getting swept out to see. Some thunderstorms over the weekend could provide some drought relief but it likely won't be enough to put an end to the dangerous conditions. Read More Related Articles Florida residents flee wildfires as droughts set scene for devastating wildfire season Read More Related Articles Map shows active wildfires across Florida as state to remain 'bone dry' amid elevated blaze risk Eight counties are experiencing extreme drought (Image: Drought Monitor) 'Extreme' drought spreads across Florida while rip currents pose deadly risk at coast Drought conditions are worsening across Florida as eight counties have now been categorised under "extreme" conditions, according to the US drought monitor. Extreme drought, referred to as D3, is the second-highest level, falling only under D4 (exceptional drought). Under extreme drought conditions in the past, Florida has experienced extreme fire danger, ground water such as that at Lake Okeechobee reaching extremely low levels and even fish dying due to the blooming of toxic algae. The worsening drought conditions are only set to escalate over the next few days and mostly dry and sunny weather continues across the Sunshine State with temperatures in the 80s. The dry and hot weather creates the perfect conditions for wildfires, or which more than a dozen are already burning across Florida. Burn bans are in effect for 18 counties across the state. However, drought and wildfires aren't the only weather risk Florida is currently facing. Strong coastal breezes are also creating a risk of potentially deadly rip currents in several areas as swimmers have been urged to use caution. Eight counties under extreme drought while three face rip current threat Marion County, Sumter County, Lake County, Volusia County, Hendry County, Collier County, Palm Beach County, Broward County are all under extreme drought conditions. Much of the rest of the state is also experiencing severe drought conditions. These are expected to worsen over the next few days as dry and warm weather continues before some relief on Sunday and Monday. In Miami, temperatures will reach highs of 82F and it will remain sunny and dry throughout the weekend. Tampa could see some of the hottest temperatures, with highs of a sweltering 93F. AccuWeather warns that there is a "possible danger of dehydration and heatstroke while doing strenuous activities." In Orlando, highs could reach 89 on Friday. It will be "mostly sunny and beautiful," according to AccuWeather but Monday will see some thunderstorms forming in the afternoon. A rip current threat is under effect (Image: MATT BORN/STARNEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Jacksonville will see highs of 86F and sunny weather until Sunday afternoon, when thunderstorms will roll into the region and last until the evening. Tallahassee will experience similar conditions, remaining mostly sunny and warm over the next few days until thunderstorms begin on Sunday. A rip current risk is in effect for Coastal Palm Beach County, Coastal Broward County and Coastal Miami Dade County, the National Weather Service has announced. When is the drought and rip currents expected to begin? Florida began experiencing drought conditions back in January but they have gradually worsened over the past few months and most of the state is now experiencing moderate to extreme drought while the rest is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. The rip current risk in in effect until Saturday evening. When will the drought in Florida end? Thunderstorms in some regions on Sunday and Monday could provide some drought relief but conditions are set to become warm and dry once again next week. A longer period of rain will be needed to end the drought across Florida. Dry season typically comes to an end in mid-May, so drought conditions are expected to begin easing over the next few weeks. Residents warned of lethal risks Those residing in Coastal Palm Beach County, Coastal Broward County and Coastal Miami Dade County have been warned about dangerous rip currents until Saturday evening. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the National Weather Service warns. The agency adds: "Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help." Rip currents aren't the only lethal risk facing Florida, wildfire risks are elevated during the drought and residents have been urged to avoid actions that could spark wildfires, including dropping cigarette butts or lighting bonfires.
