Drought monitor released Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Published on April 6, 2026 at 9:44 am
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The drought has worsened and expanded across the Southeast, including Florida.
Although South Florida has experienced more cloudy periods and passing showers — with some areas accumulating between 1 and 3 inches — the drought has expanded slightly toward the metro areas of Southeast Florida.
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The effects are being reported across northern Florida, where low water levels are limiting recreational use along the Chipola, Santa Fe, and Suwannee Rivers. Over the past month, much of the region has experienced below-average rainfall, contributing to worsening dryness.
Data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center also indicate that the past six months have been notably dry across large portions of the Southeast, with rainfall deficits of 13.51 inches in Tallahassee and 9.98 inches in Jacksonville. Over the last 30 days, most of the central, northern and Panhandle regions have experienced a rainfall deficit of 1 to 4 inches.
Adding to the dry conditions is the heat. This past week, temperatures across western Florida were 5 to 10 degrees above average, while those in the eastern areas were near average. The difference lies in the winds, which have predominantly come from the east, allowing the “cooler” range to remain focused along Florida’s East Coast.
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RELATED: Low water pressure: The drought’s effects trickle on
Keep in mind that water restrictions are still in place, especially in the western and northern areas of Florida. South Florida will continue to experience passing showers. This stream of showers and humidity could help the drought begin to shrink in the coming weeks if this pattern continues.
A cold front is expected to weaken and stall across South Florida next week, which will continue to support the development of showers and storms.
Copyright © 2026 Storm Center
