Drought in Metro Palm Beach County, Florida

Lack of significant rainfall led to the development and expansion of severe drought (D2) across metropolitan Palm Beach County, which began in March. By the end of April, the drought conditions intensified to extreme drought (D3) throughout a majority of metropolitan Palm Beach County. Locations had received approximately 40-50% of the normal rainfall total value for the calendar year. Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) was over 600 across the area. When the KBDI is over 600, this is often associated with more severe drought and increased wildfire occurrence.

Prolonged periods of dry weather across much of South Florida during the winter and spring months led to the continuing and intensification of drought conditions through the end of April.