Drought Parches Florida - NASA Science

Florida is among the many wettest U.S. states, however that does not imply it’s drought-free. Practically all of Florida confronted no less than “average” drought, and practically 80 p.c confronted “excessive” situations in April 2026, in accordance with knowledge from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unusually dry situations gripped the state for a lot of 2025, however the depth and extent of the drought ratcheted up beginning in January 2026.

Knowledge from a NASA and German Analysis Heart for Geosciences satellite tv for pc mission present that the drought has left its imprint on the state’s underground water provides, which are sometimes tapped for consuming water and farming. The map above combines knowledge from the dual GRACE-FO (Gravity Restoration and Local weather Experiment Observe-On) satellites and ground-based measurements to estimate the relative quantity of groundwater saved underground as of March 30, 2026. The colours depict the wetness percentile, or how the quantity of shallow groundwater compares to long-term information (1948–2010). Blue areas have extra water than normal, and orange and pink areas have much less. Aquifers within the northern and central areas of the state are significantly dry.

The drought is being felt all through Florida. Some water districts have imposed restrictions on when water can be utilized for sure actions, equivalent to garden watering and automotive washes. Information studies recommend that the dry climate poses a menace to crops, a lot of which already suffered extreme harm throughout laborious freezes in February. Massive wildland fires have flared up in some areas, and even wetland ecosystems just like the Everglades face unusually dry situations.

U.S. Drought Monitor information point out that the present drought is essentially the most widespread and extreme to have an effect on the state since 2012. Many areas have acquired lower than half their regular rainfall since September 1, 2025, in accordance with the Nationwide Climate Service. St. Petersburg has seen solely 7.7 inches (195.6 millimeters) of rain since September 1, in comparison with the traditional 19.0 inches, making this the driest yr on file for that interval.

Nonetheless, the present drought doesn’t but rival the worst drought that has parched the state, in accordance with knowledge from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Their evaluation signifies that the 2000–2001 drought was extra intense, lasted longer, and affected a bigger space. GRACE-FO observations are among the many sources of knowledge that the U.S. Drought Monitor considers when mapping drought situations in its weekly assessments. Forecasters anticipate {that a} slow-moving rainstorm set to hit Florida this week could supply some aid.

NASA Earth Observatory photographs by Lauren Dauphin, utilizing GRACE-FO knowledge from The Nationwide Drought Mitigation Heart on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Adam Voiland.

AccuWeather (2026, April 5) Sluggish-moving rainstorm to douse Florida drought, wildfire danger this week. Accessed April 6, 2026.
Florida Local weather Heart (2026, February) Local weather Abstract for Florida. Accessed April 6, 2026.
Florida Division of Environmental Safety (2024, December 13) Aquifer Necessities. Accessed April 6, 2026.
Florida Division of Agriculture and Client Companies (2026, February 20) Commissioner Wilton Simpson Pronounces Current Freezes Brought on Over $3 Billion in Estimated Losses to Florida Agriculture. Accessed April 6, 2026.
FOX Enterprise (2026, March 11) Florida drought deepens pressure on citrus trade as growers battle prices, illness. Accessed April 6, 2026.
FOX Climate (2026, March 25) New Florida water restrictions issued as historic drought intensifies, with little aid anticipated. Accessed April 6, 2026.
Principal St. Day by day Information (2026) Floridan aquifer ranges hit lowest since 2011 with little March rain. Accessed April 6, 2026.
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Southwest Florida Water Administration District (2026, March 24) District Declares Modified Part III Water Scarcity. Accessed April 6, 2026.
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U.S. Drought Monitor (2026, April 2) Florida. Accessed April 6, 2026.
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WUSF (2026, March 24) Stricter out of doors watering restrictions are coming because of ongoing drought. Accessed April 6, 2026.