Latest news with #FloridaDepartmentofEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Florida weather radar shows storms that could affect your day. See areas under flood watch
An area of low pressure off the coast of Florida June 4 is bringing showers and thunderstorms to the state. If the system remains offshore, it could gradually develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Florida also is being impacted by Saharan dust moving into the state and expected to stick around into the early weekend. The dust will bring hazy skies and vivid sunrises and sunsets. By the end of the week, expect temperatures to increase, with heat indices predicted to reach as high as 103 in the west-central portions of the state, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. "Unsettled and active" weather are expected across Florida, moving north through midweek, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Localized flash flooding is possible Wednesday and Thursday, especially with multiple rounds of rainfall over urban areas. A flood watch is in effect for Broward and Miami-Dade counties, with an additional 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain expected June 4 and some isolated locations getting up to 6 inches, according to the National Weather Service Miami. The National Weather Service Melbourne warned residents June 3 the weak area of low pressure near Florida could bring "unsettled weather" for the next few days. Some rain could become heavy and lead to localized flooding. Northeast Florida can expect multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms into Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville. Some areas received up to 2 inches June 3. Some areas in Southwest Florida could receive more than 2.5 inches of rain June 4, according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. The greatest amount of rain are likely along coastal areas of west-central and Southwest Florida. The Panhandle also can expect rain. "Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Wednesday June 4. Heavy rainfall will be possible with a widespread 1.5 to 3 inches through Thursday with isolated higher amounts," according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. Scattered and "potentially numerous showers" also are expected for the eastern Panhandle June 4, according to the National Weather Service Mobile. 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 The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida weather radar: See where storms are, forecast
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heat index could hit 107 in this Florida city. Will 'cold' front bring rain before Memorial Day?
As residents across the U.S. recover from deadly tornadoes, Florida is facing another problem: heat. The heat index — which is the temperature it feels like outside — is expected to reach triple digits May 21 across several areas of the Sunshine State, and high temperatures are forecast to remain in place over the Memorial Day weekend. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The National Weather Service Miami warned dangerous heat is expected from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties Wednesday afternoon, with a heat index predicted to hit 107 in Miami. There may be a brief respite from high temperatures as showers associated with a weak cold front move through the state through Friday. Here's what you can expect. A weak "cold" front is moving into Florida. As it sinks south Wednesday, isolated showers are possible. Pensacola, western Panhandle: There's a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms May 21, mainly before 1 p.m. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Showers and thunderstorms are likely May 21, mainly between 3 and 5 p.m. Jacksonville, North Florida: Strong to potentially severe storms possible the afternoon and evening of May 21 as the cold front moves through the area. Gusty winds, heavy downpours, and isolated tornadoes possible. Daytona Beach to Stuart, east-central Florida: Strong to isolated severe storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours May 22 and May 23 as a weak front moves through the area. West Palm Beach to Naples, South Florida: A system is expected to stall over South Florida May 23 and into the weekend, helping to keep isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms possible each day. Sarasota to Fort Myers, Southwest Florida: Showers are possible during the predawn hours May 22 before moving inland in the morning hours. High temperatures will continue to reach the upper 80s to lower 90s across North Florida through May 21. Central and South Florida can expect high temperatures to reach the lower to middle 90s, as well, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Heat index values, or feels-like temperatures will remain in the upper 90s to lower 100s throughout the state through May 22, with portions of interior Northeast Florida and the Peninsula approaching or reaching the middle 100s bythe early to mid-afternoon hours. High temperatures will reach the lower to middle 90s May 23-24. Heat index values will reach the lower 90s across portions of North Florida through the end of the week following drier conditions. Similarly, heat index values throughout the Peninsula will reach the lower to middle 90s, with portions of West Central and South Florida still seeing values in the upper 90s to lower 100s. Drought conditions across Florida improved, mainly because of rain that moved through the state last week. However, severe and extreme drought conditions are expected to spread across portions of Central South Florida after a period of dry weather and warm temperatures, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Wednesday, May 21: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: May 22: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Friday, May 23: Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the morning. Saturday, May 24: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Follow National Weather Service Mobile on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday: May 22: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Friday, May 23: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Saturday, May 24: Sunny, with a high near 93. Sunday, May 25: Sunny, with a high near 94. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Follow the National Weather Service Tallahassee on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Thursday: May 22: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Friday, May 23: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Saturday, May 24: Sunny, with a high near 88. Sunday, May 25: Sunny, with a high near 90. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Follow the National Weather Service Jacksonville on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday: May 22: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday, May 23: Sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Saturday, May 24: Sunny, with a high near 85. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: Sunny, with a high near 86. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 94. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: May 22: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday, May 23: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday, May 24: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 87. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 89. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: May 22: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Friday, May 23: A chance of showers before 11 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday, May 24: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming east northeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 91. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Thursday: May 22: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday, May 23: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60% Saturday, May 24: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind 10 to 14 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84. Follow the Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 107. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Thursday: May 22: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 100. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday, May 23: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday, May 24: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Sunday, May 25: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 11 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 86. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 103. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Thursday: May 22: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 100. Light north wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Friday, May 23: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 89. Light northwest wind becoming west 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Saturday, May 24: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 91. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Thursday: May 22: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday, May 23: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Saturday, May 24: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Sunday, May 25: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94. East wind around 7 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny, with a high near 84. West southwest wind 5 to 14 mph. Thursday: May 22: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. West northwest wind 6 to 13 mph. Friday, May 23: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West northwest wind 6 to 11 mph. Saturday, May 24: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Sunday, May 25: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 87. East southeast wind around 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 86. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday, May 21: Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday: May 22: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday, May 23: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 93. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph Saturday, May 24: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94. North wind around 5 mph. Sunday, May 25: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 94. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Memorial Day, May 26: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter 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 Florida Times-Union: Florida weather forecast: Will it rain for Memorial Day?
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Recent rains helped, but most of Florida still very dry and this heat wave won't help
More than 14 million people in Florida, 51% of the state, are suffering from drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought, according to NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System. That's down sharply from the 17 million and more than 84% of the state last week, due to recent rainfall. One portion in particular shows a marked difference: An area stretching from Daytona Beach west is now considered under severe, instead of extreme, drought conditions. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location In South Florida, extreme drought conditions continue, although rainfall earlier in the week moved the east coast out of the driest area. No rain is in Florida's immediate forecast and a heat wave is forecast to bring temperatures into or near triple digits into the weekend, and then into early next week. As of May 15, there were 26 wildfires burning 1,824 acres, according to the Florida Fire Service. There are 15 counties under burn bans, down from a high of 23 last week. The mean statewide drought index is at 258, a marked difference from the 466 last week. Use the slider to compare drought conditions on May 8 and on May 15. Sections of Florida suffering from extreme drought changed dramatically between May 8 and May 15 after rain moved down the state between May 9-12. NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System said 51% of Florida is under drought conditions, down from 84% May 8. The state is still dry, with most areas suffering from conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. ➤ '80% of homes lost to wildfires could have been saved.' Here's what you can do The breakdown of drought conditions in the state (compared to May 8 percentages) which affects 14.1 million residents, is: Abnormally dry: 36.5% (12.6%) Moderate drought: 20.8% (34.3%) Severe drought: 21.1% (24.4%) Extreme drought: 9.1% (25.5%) Exceptional drought: 0% (0%) ➤ Maps: See drought conditions by county Don't expect rain to return anytime soon. The Florida Department of Emergency Management warned conditions will remain dry starting May 15 and into the weekend, bringing "sensitive wildfire conditions," especially to portions of east Florida. There is a "isolated chance for a brief shower or two" across Northwest Florida Saturday. "Temperatures will gradually warm up each day and we will see temperatures return to the 90s across most of the state by the end of the week Florida weather forecast through May 17-18 weekend, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. "By Friday and Saturday, feelslike temperatures will reach the middle to upper 90s across most of the state, with areas along the Panhandle and interior West Florida approaching or reaching triple digits (100-105-degrees)." Here's your weekend forecast: Pensacola: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Tallahassee: Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Sunday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Jacksonville: Saturday: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Daytona Beach: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Melbourne: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Port St. Lucie: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 92. West Palm Beach: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Naples: Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Fort Myers:: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Sarasota: Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Orlando: Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Historically, Florida's rainy season begins between mid May and early June, according to the National Weather Service. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index mean for Florida was 258 on May 15. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry. As of May 15, there were no counties with a drought index over 600, which means severe drought conditions and an increased risk for wildfires. There were nine counties with a drought index over 600 a week ago. According to the Florida Forest Service, as of May 15, burn bans are in place for the following counties: Charlotte Collier DeSoto Glades Hardee Hendry Highlands Lake Lee Manatee Okeechobee Orange Osceola Pasco Sarasota The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties: Duval Hillsborough Orange Pinellas 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 subscribe here. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida heat wave. Despite rains, drought impacts half of state
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
82% of Florida experiencing drought conditions. See worst areas and whether rain expected soon
More than 82% of Florida is suffering from drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme, according to NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System. Two areas of extreme drought exist in the state, with the largest in South Florida now extending from coast to coast. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location The drought is keeping the number of wildfires burning in the state high, with 102 burning Friday, May 2, according to the Florida Fire Service. There is a possibility of rain this weekend. There are 23 counties under burn bans, almost one-third of the state's 67 counties. The mean statewide drought index is at 488. NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System said 82.2 percent of Florida is under drought conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme. ➤ '80% of homes lost to wildfires could have been saved.' Here's what you can do The breakdown of drought conditions in the state, which affects 16.6 million residents, is: Abnormally dry: 16.5% Moderate drought: 35.5% Severe drought: 29.9% Extreme drought: 16.9% Exceptional drought: 0% ➤ Maps: See drought conditions by county "Rainfall deficits over the last 90 days have reached widespread of 2-4" inches below normal throughout most of the state, with areas north of and along the I-10 corridor as well as much of South Florida seeing larger departures near 4-8' below normal," according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Even North Florida and the Panhandle is seeing abnormally dry conditions and moderate drought. The Climate Prediction Center is "predicting above-normal temperatures for the entire state and leaning below normal rain chances throughout the Big Bend and the Peninsula for the month of May," according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Rain chances are expected to increase for some areas over the weekend, though, especially on the state's west coast and east-central Florida, according to the National Weather Service. There were 16 active wildfires burning as of Friday morning. The largest fires in the state are: Hurst Hammock Fire: 200 acres in Escambia County. 80% contained Sidell East Fire: 34 acres in Manatee County. 90% contained Crooked Creek Lane Fire: 25 acres in Hardee County. 80% contained "Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature," according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service, in an email. "For example, the '344 Fire' was due to its location near 344 Street." Don't look for any rain Friday for most of Florida, but isolated showers — only 20% chances — are possible in the morning and early afternoon south of Patrick Space Force Base. Isolated showers and lightning storms are possible near the St. Lucie/Martin County coasts, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Western Panhandle, Pensacola: Mostly sunny. High 80. Low 72. Central Panhandle, Tallahassee: Mostly sunny. High 87. Low 63. Northeast Florida, Jacksonville: Mostly sunny. High 87. Low 67. East Coast, Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Stuart: Slight chance for showers in the morning, then partly sunny. High 82. Low 69. South Florida, West Palm Beach, Naples: Slight chance for showers in the morning, then partly sunny. High 77. Low 75. Southwest Florida, Fort Myers to Sarasota: Mostly sunny. High 80. Low 71. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index mean for Florida was 488 on May 2. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry. As of May 1, there were 14 counties with a drought index over 600, which means severe drought conditions with an increased risk for wildfires. There were 17 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger. Here are the counties with a drought index over 600, which is associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurring: Counties in bold were just added to each section. Broward: 622 Charlotte: 639 Collier: 656 DeSoto: 612 Glades: 627 Hardee: 638 Hendry: 658 Lake: 611 Lee: 668 Manatee: 628 Miami-Dade: 622 Monroe: 622 Palm Beach: 645 Sarasota: 634 Counties with drought index in the 500s: Brevard: 547 Citrus: 515 Flagler: 543 Hernando: 530 Highlands: 593 Hillsborough: 578 Marion: 505 Martin: 594 Okeechobee: 561 Orange: 576 Osceola: 528 Pasco: 599 Pinellas: 530 Polk: 587 Seminole: 579 Sumter: 590 Volusia: 593 Another eight of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s. Here's an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System. 0-200: Soil moisture and large-class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of spring dormant season following winter precipitation. 200-400: Typical of late spring, early growing season. Lower litter and duff layers are drying and beginning to contribute to fire intensity. 400-600: Typical of late summer, early fall. Lower litter and duff layers actively contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively. 600-800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep burning fires with significant downwind spotting can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels. According to the Florida Forest Service, as of May 2, 23 burn bans are in place for the following counties: Brevard Charlotte Citrus Collier DeSoto Flagler Glades Hardee Hendry Hernando Highlands Lake Lee Manatee Okeechobee Orange Osceola Pasco Polk Sarasota Seminole Sumter Volusia The open burning of yard debris is always prohibited in these counties: Duval Hillsborough Orange Pinellas 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 subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida drought, dry weather has Wildfires burning. Will it rain soon?
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
102 wildfires burning 3,366 acres in Florida as drought worsens. See where they are
The number of wildfires burning in Florida remained above 100 Friday, May 2, as drought conditions worsen, especially along Florida's peninsula. There were 102 wildfires burning 3,366 acres Friday, May 2, according to the Florida Forest Service. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Conditions across the state range from abnormally dry to extreme drought. NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System May 2 shows two large areas under extreme drought, with the one in South Florida now extending from coast to coast. Protecting your home: '80% of homes lost to wildfires could have been saved.' Here's what you can do Wildfire conditions will persist and increase across the state, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. There were 16 active wildfires burning as of Friday morning. The largest fires in the state are: Hurst Hammock Fire: 200 acres in Escambia County. 80% contained Sidell East Fire: 34 acres in Manatee County. 90% contained Crooked Creek Lane Fire: 25 acres in Hardee County. 80% contained Don't look for any rain Friday for most of Florida, but isolated showers — only 20% chances — are possible in the morning and early afternoon south of Patrick Space Force Base. Isolated showers and lightning storms are possible near the St. Lucie/Martin County coasts, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. 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, drought worsens. Florida rain forecast
