Rainfall in early-to-mid June has helped alleviate much of the dry conditions experienced across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small portion of the west coast of Florida is abnormally dry. Those counties include Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and a small part of Collier in southern Florida. Alabama’s northern counties are in need of …
Bret’s Impact on Southeast Could Mean Additional Rain
By Clint Thompson What potentially could have been the development of a rare June hurricane is no longer in the forecast with Tropical Storm Bret. But it could still impact the Southeast by bringing added rain to a region already saturated by storms the past two weeks. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discusses the impact specialty crop …
Abnormally Dry Conditions Observed in Some Areas Across Southeast
The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions in Georgia and Alabama and some moderate and severe drought conditions in Florida. The driest conditions in Georgia remain concentrated to the southwest part of the state, in Crisp, Wilcox, Ben Hill, Turner, Irwin, Tift, Worth, Lee and parts of Dougherty, Colquitt, Cook and Berrien counties. Other …
Drought Monitor: Minimal Drought Conditions Observed in Southeast
Drought-like conditions that were widespread across the Southeast have dissipated in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The only remaining dry conditions in Florida are located along the west coast. Severe dry conditions start as far north as Levy County and stretch southward to Manatee, Sarasota and De Soto counties. Abnormally dry conditions are also observed as far …
Early Start to Hurricane Season?
By Clint Thompson An early start to the hurricane season is not out of the question for the Southeast. In fact, it could be expected for the region considering how warm the ocean waters are currently in the Gulf of Mexico. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, highlights what fruit and vegetable producers should expect from this year’s …
NOAA Forecasts Near-Normal Hurricane Season for 2023
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters with the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict near-normal hurricane activity this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of …
Still Dry: Lack of Rain in Areas Across Southeast
Rainfall continues to impact parts of the Southeast, though much of the region is still observing dry conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the west coast of Florida is either extremely dry or severely dry. These include Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Desoto and Charlotte counties. Most of the central part …
Hail Damage Calls for Action from North Florida Watermelon Growers
By Clint Thompson Hail damage in some North Florida watermelon fields should prompt those producers to take action to preserve the crop’s well being amid the current harvests. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talks about the damage sustained last week. “I don’t want to make …
How Dry is it? Drought Monitor Shows Lack of Rainfall in Parts of Southeast
Florida’s dry conditions continue to persist throughout most of the state, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. An extreme drought remains along the west coast of the state, starting as far north as Levy County and stretching as far south as Hillsborough and Manatee counties. A severe drought persists along the west coast as well, starting in …
It’s Hot Out There: Warming Trend, Sporadic Rain to Continue Through Next Week
By Clint Thompson Weather conditions heated up this week across the Southeast. A lack of rainfall in certain areas created a warm environment for specialty crops. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the current warming trend across the region. “We’ve been in this cold and persistent pattern where it seems like it’s rained almost every weekend in …