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Drought Fuels Panhandle Wildfires
2 Dec
Summary
- Multiple fires erupted across Florida's panhandle during late November.
- Exceptional drought conditions plague the region, especially near Georgia.
- Beneficial rain arrived but is not enough to end the prolonged drought.
Wildfires ignited across Florida's panhandle during the final weekend of November, exacerbated by persistent drought conditions. The most severe drought category, 'Exceptional Drought,' is affecting areas near the Georgia state line. Other parts of the panhandle are classified as 'extreme drought' or 'severe drought,' with only the Pensacola area showing less severe conditions.
Beneficial, though not drought-ending, rainfall occurred over Thanksgiving weekend. However, soil moisture remains critically low, as indicated by high Keetch-Byram Drought Index values. Streamflows in several rivers are also below normal, suggesting ongoing water scarcity.
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service forecasts additional rain at the beginning and possibly end of the week of December 1st. While this precipitation will be helpful, it is not expected to fully end the drought. A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms, potentially including isolated tornadoes, is also present for December 1st and 2nd.
