Wet Season Not Going Quietly in the Sunshine State

Florida’s dry season normally takes the reins in late October. However, coming off what was a hectic hurricane season, it’s understandably taking a little longer to dry out this go-round. According to an updated hydrological report from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), November saw above-average rainfall in counties across the northern and southern coast of its 18-county service area. In contrast, some parts of Central Florida saw less rain than usual.

St. Johns River Water Management District rainfall map Nov. 2017

Map courtesy of SJRWMD

  • The county with the highest average rainfall for the month was Flagler with 4.6 inches, followed by St. Johns with 3.8 inches and Marion with 3.7 inches.
  • Below-average rainfall was recorded in most of Central Florida, starting in Central Volusia County, into the Orlando area, southern Lake County, and further south into Osceola County. Seminole and
  • Orange counties received less than half an inch of rain each for the month.
  • Thanks in large part to Hurricane Irma, 12-month rainfall totals are 7 inches above average across the entire District.

Last winter and most of the spring brought drought conditions across the region that prompted water shortage warning orders and county burn bans. Climate models are predicting a similar setup for this year. In the meantime, SJRWMD officials are preaching proactive water conservation to the public and continued best management practices by area farmers.

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