Introduction to South Florida’s Severe Drought
It’s been a dry winter in South Florida, and the coming months will likely make it a very dry spring. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, South Florida is currently experiencing “severe drought conditions.” The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it’s likely we’ll have below-normal rain for the next month at least.
Current Drought Conditions
How dry is dry? Both Broward and the coastal areas of Palm Beach counties have received about .3 inches of rain this month, about 18% of the 1.63-inch to 1.94-inch norm, according to the South Florida Water Management District. And for 2025 thus far, rainfall totals so far currently add up to only 1.35 inches in Broward. That’s about 33% of the 4.14-inch norm. Coastal Palm Beach County is similar, with 1.39 inches, 27% of the 5.16-inch norm.
Future Rainfall Prospects
The near future might see some rain, but it won’t be enough to end the drought. There’s a 39% chance of rain Tuesday afternoon, and a 24% chance on Wednesday, but the remainder of the week should be dry, said the National Weather Service. In fact, the chance of rain will fluctuate between 4% and 1% through Friday. The weekend has about a 10% chance of rain at this point.
Winds will pick up as the week progresses, with relatively calm winds through Wednesday, but ramping to 14 mph on Thursday with gusts to 24 mph. It should remain gusty through Saturday.
Impacts of Severe Drought
NOAA said the impacts of severe drought in Florida can include:
— Air and water quality are poor; water salinity is high; river and lake levels are low.
— Large increase of wildfire abundance; fire danger is elevated; burn bans are implemented.
— Lawns and landscapes go dormant.
— Pasture is drying, hay yields are low.
Long-term Forecast
In a long-term climate forecast released last week, NOAA said that drought conditions in South Florida would likely remain from April through June, but improve slightly to “moderate drought” during that time. Drought conditions on the west coast of Florida would likely end by June. The forecast also said that above-average temperatures are likely on the east coast this spring, with the highest chances for central and south Florida.
Recent Wildfires
This year’s dry conditions, and a windy blast of dry air last week, resulted in a 26,719-acre wildfire outside of Homestead, Florida. That fire risk has dropped as humidity has picked up and wind has diminished. The Homestead fire is still active, according to the Florida Forest Service, as was 80% contained as of Monday afternoon.
Conclusion
The severe drought in South Florida is expected to continue for the next few months, with below-normal rainfall predicted for the region. This will lead to various impacts, including poor air and water quality, increased wildfire risk, and dormant lawns and landscapes. It is essential for residents to take necessary precautions and follow any guidelines set by local authorities to mitigate the effects of the drought.
FAQs
Q: How long will the drought last in South Florida?
A: The drought is expected to continue from April through June, with a slight improvement to “moderate drought” during that time.
Q: What are the impacts of severe drought in Florida?
A: The impacts include poor air and water quality, increased wildfire risk, dormant lawns and landscapes, and drying pasture with low hay yields.
Q: Is there a chance of rain in the near future?
A: There is a 39% chance of rain on Tuesday afternoon and a 24% chance on Wednesday, but the remainder of the week is expected to be dry.
Q: What is the current status of the Homestead wildfire?
A: The fire is still active but was 80% contained as of Monday afternoon.
Originally Published: March 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM EDT
