Drought — Mainland Monroe, Florida

2020-05-01 to 2020-05-26 · Mainland Monroe, Florida

Event narrative

Less than a quarter of an inch of rain fell during the first half of May across most of Mainland Monroe County, leading to the continuation of severe drought conditions. Surface and underground water levels dropped to around 10% of normal in some areas. Rainfall increased significantly during the second half of May, putting an end to the severe drought conditions by the end of the month.

Wider weather episode

Very dry conditions which began in March continued through the first half of May, leading to an expansion of severe drought conditions from SW Florida eastward to most of southern Miami-Dade County. Several large wildfires flared up across the Everglades and Big Cypress, most notably in Golden Gate Estates and near the borders of Miami-Dade, Collier, and Mainland Monroe counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 896959. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.