Forecast Promising For Parched Parts Of Florida
May 4, 2012 South Florida’s dry conditions are likely to improve with a wet season that is forecast to be average, but it will take time to build on April’s rainfall to recharge regional surface and groundwater sources, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the National Weather Service reported at a joint briefing.
The updated National Weather Service 2012 wet season forecast calls for:
• Probable early and wetter start to the wet season
• Precipitation outlook for near to above normal precipitation into June, with near normal precipitation for the remainder of the season
• Slightly above normal temperatures
Current Conditions
April’s rainfall District-wide was 3.36 inches, or 133% of the historical average, providing important recharge. Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, along with the Big Cypress Basin all received above-average rainfall for the month. Southwest Florida, Martin, and St. Lucie counties and the Kissimmee received near average rainfall.
Overall, however, the region is still in a rainfall deficit of about 5.50 inches for the dry season that began in November. Southwest Florida and the Kissimmee regions have been significantly drier with higher rainfall deficits. Lake Okeechobee, the backup water supply for Florida’s lower East Coast, is at 11.68 feet NGVD. This is 1.87 feet below average for this time of year.
From Orlando to the Florida Keys remain under a water shortage warning that calls for practicing voluntary water conservation and following landscape irrigation limits.