Drought in Mainland Monroe, Florida

Dry conditions persisted across most of South Florida during March. Most areas received less than 2 inches of rain, with some interior and western areas receiving less than 1 inch for the entire month. Some east coast areas received higher amounts from a stalled front during the middle of the month, with isolated areas seeing as much as 6 to 8 inches of rain.

Most of South Florida was placed under severe drought (D2) conditions.

The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.83 feet to 12.20 feet by the end of the month. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index reached extreme levels across most of South Florida, indicative of very high fire danger values. As a result, several small brush fires were reported.

Dry conditions during the month of March, in addition to very dry conditions since the beginning of the dry season, led to the development of severe drought conditions across Southwest Florida.