Latest news with #UnitedStatesDroughtMonitor
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Star
Florida weather: Urgent warning as wildfires 'ramping up' amid worsening drought
Officials have given a stark warning that Florida's wildfire season is intensifying as worsening drought conditions continue to ignite blazes. Drought conditions and dry, warm, weather have fueled at least five recent fires and prompted a nationwide burning ban. On Wednesday, blazes in Brevard County flared, including two bushfires in Palm Bay that came dangerously close to homes. Flames erupted just feet away from residential properties, leading to evacuation orders as parts of the city were blanketed in thick smoke. By late Wednesday the fires were contained but another 200-acre blaze in an area known as The Compound is still raging. Read More Related Articles 'Hideous' Trump hangs new self-portrait in White House next to his greatest political rival Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way More than a dozen active wildfires are burning (Image: Fox) More than a dozen active wildfires are currently burning across the state, including five that have erupted in the last week alone. But more hot and dry weather is in store for Florida , extending the elevated wildfire risk as residents are urged to prepare now. More dry and hot weather in Florida to fuel wildfires More dry and hot weather will hit Florida throughout the end of the week, worsening drought conditions and elevating the wildfire risk as more than a dozen blazes are already burning. "This week we are going to continue to stay very hot, very dry. A lot more of the same of what we've been experiencing all week will continue into the weekend," Click Orlando forecaster Candace Campos said on Wednesday. She added: "That is going to continue to keep our fire danger elevated for another couple of days as we have no rain in the forecast." 'Extreme' drought conditions expand across Florida The spike in recent fire activity comes as drought conditions have worsened in central Florida. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which acts as a key measure of fire risk, has been increasing due to the prolonged hot and dry weather, according to officials. In Brevard County, five wildfires have erupted in the last week, impacting areas including Cocoa, Viera, and Palm Bay. Over the Florida Peninsula, conditions also range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The severe drought has also expanded across much of the state, including South Florida. The only area that's not experiencing a drought is from Alachua County northward towards Tallahassee through Pensacola. When did drought conditions in Florida begin? Drought conditions have been spreading across Florida since January. At the start of the year, much of the region was already experiencing abnormally dry weather, according to a graphic released by the National Weather Service. In February, some areas began experiencing severe drought while by April 15 the worst-hit regions were seeing extreme drought. When will drought conditions in Florida end? While no rain is forecast for the rest of this week, some showers could provide some drought relief early next week. "We will start to see more of a hint of rain back into the area though by Monday," Candace said. She explained: "Overall it's going to be a warm week ahead, we have a big ridge of high pressure that will continue to stay in control all the way throughout the weekend and it really won't be until early next week where we will start to see a little bit of a weakening in that ridge that could allow some additional moisture to move in by then." However, drought conditions could still worsen through the end of the month and into May as more dry weather is expected. Florida's dry season typically comes to an end in mid-May. Florida residents warned to prepare for raging wildfires now Residents have been warned to prepare for fires Amid elevated wildfire risks, Florida residents, particularly those living close to wooded areas, have been urged to act quickly to prepare themselves for the event of a fire. "It's really ramping up and we are anticipating it to become even more active," Cliff Frazier, a wildfire mitigation specialist with the Florida Forestry Service told Fox 35 . He added: "If you live out in the wildland urban interface, it's time to prepare now before the wildfire gets there. There's no need to prepare when the wildfire gets there — because then it's too late." What is causing the Florida wildfires? Authorities have not released any specific causes of the wildfire raging across Florida. While it is not known what may have sparked them, it is clear that the weather conditions have fueled them. High temperatures, low humidity levels, intense sunshine, dry brush and sandy soil have boosted the wildfire risk.
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Star
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."
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hot, dry weather to boost wildfire risk in Florida
Surging temperatures and ongoing dryness across much of Florida will raise the risk of wildfires this week, AccuWeather meteorologists advise. April is often a great month to enjoy comfortable temperatures, moderate humidity and little risk of thunderstorm activity. This week, however, while humidity levels will be rather low and thunderstorms are likely to be scarce, temperatures will climb above the historical average--generally 4 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit above the average. Widespread highs in the mid-80s to the low 90s are in store this week. While most locations are not likely to set daily record highs, some may come within a few degrees. When combined with intense late April sunshine, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can approach the mid-90s to 100 degrees for a time in the afternoon. That can pose some health risks to those not used to the heat coming out of the winter season. Even seasoned Florida residents are encouraged to stay the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ Much of the Florida Peninsula has been experiencing below-historical-average rainfall at a time of the year when rainfall is typically low to begin with. Of the approximate 2.50 inches of rain Orlando typically receives this month, less than 0.40 of an inch of rain has fallen. The dryness extends well through the start of the year in Orlando and many other locations. Conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought over the Florida Peninsula, according to the United States Drought Monitor. The combination of intense sunshine, dry brush, dry air, heat and dry, sandy soil will boost the risk of wildfire ignition this week. People are advised to use caution with outdoor power equipment, open flames or anything that produces sparks. As long as precautions are taken regarding heat exhaustion and outdoor fire safety, this week should be ideal for heading to the beach, golf course or theme parks. As May progresses, the likelihood of thunderstorms typically increases as humidity levels climb. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers facing dry conditions as 2025 planting season approaches
Apr. 2—MITCHELL — With another spring planting season approaching, farmers in Mitchell and the surrounding areas are again training their eyes skyward in the hopes more precipitation is on the way to help ease the effects of a widespread drought across the state. It is probably the first and foremost thought on the minds of producers as they gear up for planting, which is expected to get underway in the next several weeks to a month. "Farmers really care about their moisture," David Klingberg, executive director of the Davison County Farm Service Agency, told the Mitchell Republic. "It is definitely dry, and most guys are concerned about the future. Many of us understand by now that the weather is just one of the many things that we can't control, and so while we complain about it, we're just resolved that we're not going to fix it." It's a different scene across the state than it was at this time in 2024. According to the United States Drought Monitor, the entire state of South Dakota is currently under some level of drought conditions. The worst conditions as of March 25 were in the southwest portion of the state, much of which registered as level D3, which indicates extreme drought. The rest of the state is better, but still dry. Much of the north central, northeastern, central and south central portion of the state is under a D2 level, meaning severe drought. The remainder of the state is under D1, or moderate drought conditions. At this time in 2024, only about 50% of the state was experiencing drought conditions. The area received a hard soaking mid-summer last year, but since then precipitation in the form of rain or snow has been relatively scarce. Several surrounding states are experiencing similar conditions. The United States Department of Agriculture reported March 31 that South Dakota topsoil moisture supplies rated at 52% very short, 37% short, 11% adequate and 0% surplus. On subsoil moisture, figures were 51% very short, 38% short, 11% adequate and 0% surplus. "In June of 2024, we got 11 inches in three days, so were we okay before that? Yeah. After that? Yeah. But in July and August it turned hot and dry and we didn't get a whole lot after that, so (the dry conditions) started way back in June," Klingberg said. "We just didn't get any substantial moisture after that." There isn't much producers can do to counteract Mother Nature, Klingberg said. There are always challenges associated with planting and harvest, with farmers wrestling with crop choices based on potential prices or using particular strains of seeds that do better in certain conditions. Adding drought conditions only throws more questions into the mix. "The problem with farming is the variables, there are just too many to consider. At one point in time some guys were saying they were going away from soybeans because there were too many soybeans produced and the price would drop. Others were conflicting that because everybody thought that others were going in the opposite direction," Klingberg said. "It's a mind game where we try to figure out what will make us the most money. Then throw the drought in there." Farmers could tailor their seeds to variants that are drought resistant, a common practice depending on conditions. Dry conditions could also elevate the danger of field fires, something that producers will have to keep an eye on. Spring is not an uncommon time for landowners to burn their CRP acres, but with winds and dry conditions there could be less of that in 2025. On the plus side, there should be little need to avoid low spots in the field, as there is little standing water as tractors are prepared to head out and plant. It's a chance for farmers to go fence line to fence line with their planters, but without timely rain in the future, the results could be moot, Klingeberg said. "I would think that if they have a wish list and they could get what they want, I would say a couple of inches this week and a couple inches next week. I think they would take a few inches of rain to make up for the drought until they really want to hit the field hard and then hold off," Klingberg said. "And then a couple of inches every week." Temperatures for the next couple of weeks are expected to see highs ranging from the mid-40s this week to as high as the mid-70s later in April. Dry planting conditions also mean dry conditions for livestock, something else producers will be keeping an eye on, Klingberg said. "Guys are heavy into calving, if not all the way through it. Some stock dams are low. Those calves don't have the immune system built up and when it's dry and dusty it gets in their lungs and causes problems, so they're concerned about that," Klingberg said. "Everybody is busy, and everyone is getting ready for the next thing, either fixing fences or picking rocks or getting ready for fertilizing and tillage. Everybody seems to be busy." The United States Department of Agriculture is predicting a rise in corn acres and a drop in soybean acres in 2025. According to the latest survey from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, a division of the USDA, South Dakota producers intend to plant about 6.3 million acres of corn this year, which is a 7% bump from 2024. Less soybeans are expected to be planted, however, with about 5.10 million acres expected, a drop of 6% from last year. Hay acreage is also expected to be down, with 2.7 million acres predicted, also down about 6% from last year. Winter wheat seeded in the fall of 2024 is estimated at 800,000 acres, down 7% from last year. Other spring wheat planting intentions are at 660,000 acres, unchanged from last year.
