ORLANDO, Fla. – The abnormally hot and dry weather throughout April is now catching up to residents in Central Florida as the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows that portions of the area have now entered extreme drought conditions.
According to the update released Thursday morning, areas of Marion, Lake, and Volusia counties are now classified under the second-highest drought category, known as “D4 – Extreme Drought.”
[Watch video below for Candace Campos’ explanation about the drought index]
This marks a significant worsening of conditions over the past few weeks, as dry weather and persistent heat continue to take a toll.
As of Thursday, Daytona Beach, Melbourne and other reporting stations are currently experiencing their top 10 driest Aprils on record.
Lake levels are down, vegetation is drying out, and local officials are warning of an increased risk of wildfires.
With these elevated drought conditions, we could see increased wildfire activity, crop stress with potential losses, and possible water restrictions.
BURN BANS
The latest update shows most east Central Florida counties under official burn bans.
Under these conditions, remember to keep fire safety top of mind. Stop all outdoor burning, do not toss cigarettes out of your car window, and don’t idle in your car over dry grass.
RAIN OUTLOOK:
The latest forecast is leaning toward a slight uptick in our rain chances by the beginning of next week with coverage of 20-30%.
While this next round of rain is certainly welcomed, Central Florida needs more consistent rain to help put a dent in our drought emergency.
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