As we all know, the rainfall in Florida has been extremely low so far this year. However, due to recent weather, the drought we were in has significantly downsized, and we are no longer as worried. Before though, the drought level had reached "extreme" and there was a statewide fire ban.
As of June 6, 2017, this is what the state of our drought problem looks like. A month ago, this is what it looked like:
Quite an improvement, if you ask me. You must be asking yourself, why the sudden change in weather? Well, June 1 initiated the first day of hurricane season for the Atlantic in the northern hemisphere. Although there hasn't been any reported tropical depressions or storms so far this June, there was a tropical storm back in April, making the hurricane season start its earliest since 2003. There have only ever been six tropical cyclones to form in April ever.
According to the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year's hurricane season is going to be a big one. The NOAA reported that there is a 45% chance of having an above-normal season, 35% chance of a near-normal, and only 20% chance of below-normal.
Despite this, the hurricane season is still unpredictable. The El Niño normally warms the water during hurricane season, which is why there are so many storms. However, the NOAA is predicting El Niño to be fluctuating back and forth, which then causes hurricane season to be unpredictable.
As of now, weather reporters are predicting the next week to be full of thunder storms, so make sure you always have an umbrella to stay dry. It's going to be a very wet season, and hopefully the statewide drought becomes nonexistent. This may put a damper on your plans, but don't hate on the weather too much. We need the rain, and now we've got it.