Florida, 2009

Drought in Florida, April 1 to 30, 2009

April 1 to 30, 2009 · NWS MFL · 15 events in 15 counties and zones

A very dry April across South Florida led to the intensification of drought conditions.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
15

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MFL wrote it up.

A very dry April across South Florida led to the intensification of drought conditions.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Miami, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 31, 7:18 PM EST, 4 hours 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 7:18 PM EST, 4 hours 42 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
818 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

.UPDATE...
CONVECTION HAS NOW WOUND DOWN AFTER AN ACTIVE LATE AFTERNOON.
LATEST SURFACE ANALYSIS SHOWS WEAK PSEUDO WARM FRONT JUST NORTH
OF PALM BEACH NOW THAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS OF LIFT FOR THE STRONGEST
STORMS EARLIER TODAY. THIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO LIFT NORTH OVERNIGHT AND
MERGE WITH FRONTAL SYSTEM ACROSS THE SE TOMORROW WITH MAIN FOCUS
OF CONVECTION SHIFTING NORTH. HOWEVER...THERE COULD BE STILL
ENOUGH MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY TOMORROW FOR MORE SUMMER TIME LIKE
STORMS ALBEIT THE CHANCE AT THE PRESENT TIME IS SMALL SO WILL LET
MIDNIGHT SHIFT REVISE THIS. BUT THE LOCAL HI RES WRF MODEL HINT AT
THIS JUST LIKE IT DID RATHER ACCURATELY FOR THE ACTIVITY EARLIER TODAY.

OTHER THAN THAT CURRENT FORECAST LOOKS ON TRACK BUT ADJUSTED GRIDS
SOME TO BETTER REFLECT CURRENT CONDITIONS AS WELL AS WINDS
OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE EAST COAST METRO AREAS.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 729 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009/

AVIATION...ALG E CST...SE WINDS THRU PD. FM 00Z-13Z 7-10KT THEN
AFT 13Z 12-15KT WITH PSBL AFTN G20KT. A LTL MORE STABLE AFTN AND
ONLY VCSH XPCTD WITH AFTN SEA BRZ CONVERGENCE BTWN 18Z-22Z, ALG W
CST AT KAPF...SE WND 00Z-14Z 3-6KT INCRG 10-14KT AFT 13Z THEN
SHIFTING SSW AFT 20Z. ANY SHRA WELL NE OF TERMINAL.

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 445 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009/

DISCUSSION...
TO SAY THE LEAST...THE EFFECTS OF MID-LEVEL SUBSIDENCE AND DRYING
ASSOCIATED WITH RIDGE OVER THE NORTHERN CARIBBEAN SEA LIMITED
CHANCES FOR RAINFALL THROUGH MID-AFTERNOON...BUT ACTIVITY
DEVELOPED RAPIDLY AROUND 2-3 PM EDT...AS 3000 J/KG CAPE ON MORNING
RAOB FROM KMFL WAS REALIZED. WILL STILL MAINTAIN A LOW CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND STORMS ACROSS INTERIOR AND NORTHEAST ZONES...WITH
EXPECTATIONS OF AT LEAST WIDELY SCATTERED ACTIVITY DEVELOPING
ALONG MESOSCALE CONVERGENCE BOUNDARIES...AND MOVING SLOWLY THROUGH
THE EARLY EVENING HOURS.

ASIDE FROM ANY PRECIPITATION LATER THIS AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING...
GENERALLY DRY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED FOR AT LEAST THE REMAINDER
OF THE SHORT TERM PERIOD...AS MID-LEVEL RIDGE WILL REMAIN A
PERMANENT FEATURE OVERHEAD COURTESY OF A VORT MAX PROGGED TO DIVE
SOUTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES AND EMERGE OVER THE
SOUTHERN PLAINS FROM WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. AS THIS UPPER SYSTEM
BECOMES NEGATIVELY TILTED...DEEPENING SURFACE CYCLONE TRACKING
ACROSS THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI/TENNESSEE RIVER VALLEY REGION WILL
MAINTAIN STEADY SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS THROUGH THE PERIOD...WITH
WARM AND UNSEASONABLY HUMID CONDITIONS CONTINUING.

SURFACE LOW WILL LIKELY BE TRACKING NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE GREAT
LAKES REGION AT BEGINNING OF EXTENDED PERIOD...WITH COLD FRONT
SLOWLY APPROACHING THE CENTRAL FLORIDA PENINSULA. THIS WILL LEAD
TO PREVAILING SOUTHWEST FLOW AND A VERY WARM DAY FOR THE
INTERIOR/EAST COAST ON FRIDAY. SLIGHT CHANCES FOR RAIN STILL
APPEAR WARRANTED ACROSS THE LAKE REGION AND NORTHWEST ZONES FROM
FRIDAY INTO FRIDAY NIGHT...AS COLD FRONT MAY STALL ACROSS THIS
AREA. FURTHERMORE...A WEAKER PRESSURE GRADIENT DECREASE IN
SUBSIDENCE ALOFT MAY ALLOW FOR A SLIGHTLY BETTER COVERAGE OF
AFTERNOON SEA BREEZE CONVECTION ON SATURDAY. BY SUNDAY...COLD
FRONT OR ITS REMNANTS WILL LIFT NORTHWARD IN ADVANCE OF NEXT IN A
SERIES OF UPPER LOWS MOVING EASTWARD ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS.
EXTENDED GUIDANCE STILL INDICATES THAT THIS SYSTEM MAY PHASE WITH
A PIECE OF THE HUDSON BAY VORTEX AND EVOLVE INTO A DEEP UPPER LOW
CENTERED OVER THE GREAT LAKES EARLY NEXT WEEK...WHICH MAY INCREASE
THE CHANCE OF A WEAK FRONTAL PASSAGE ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA.
HOWEVER...WILL AWAIT STRONGER MODEL CONSISTENCY BEFORE ALTERING
EXTENDED PORTION OF THE FORECAST.

MARINE...
NO SIGNIFICANT MARINE WEATHER CONCERNS...WITH MODERATE TO STRONG
SOUTHERLY WINDS (15-20 KNOTS) PERSISTING ACROSS THE LOCAL WATERS
THROUGH AT LEAST THE END OF THE WEEK. WILL CONTINUE PREVIOUS TREND
OF HOLDING GULF STREAM SEAS IN THE 4-6 FOOT RANGE IN THIS REGIME.
A WEAK COLD FRONT MAY STALL OVER THE AREA THIS WEEKEND... AND LIFT
NORTHWARD ONCE AGAIN EARLY NEXT WEEK.

FIRE WEATHER...
NO CONCERNS THIS PERIOD...WITH MINIMUM AFTERNOON RH VALUES
REMAINING SUFFICIENTLY HIGH.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
WEST PALM BEACH  74  87  73  89 / 30 20 10 10
FORT LAUDERDALE  77  87  76  89 / 10 10 10 10
MIAMI            76  87  75  89 / 10 10 10 10
NAPLES           71  87  71  87 / 10 20 10 10

&&

.MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...NONE.
AM...NONE.
GM...NONE.
&&

LONG TERM...52/PS
SHORT TERM/AVIATION...15/JR
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 7:00 PM EST, 5 hours before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH FLORIDA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
800 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

FLZ063-066>075-168-172>174-011215-
GLADES-HENDRY-INLAND PALM BEACH-METRO PALM BEACH-COASTAL COLLIER-
INLAND COLLIER-INLAND BROWARD-METRO BROWARD-INLAND MIAMI DADE-
METRO MIAMI DADE-MAINLAND MONROE-COASTAL PALM BEACH-COASTAL
BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI DADE-FAR SOUTH MIAMI DADE-
800 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTERS ARE ASKED TO PASS ON ANY REPORTS OF SEVERE WEATHER TO THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI THIS EVENING.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
MIAMI WEBSITE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MIAMI.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Mar 31, 7:42 PM EST, 4 hours 18 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
842 PM EDT TUE MAR 31 2009

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     TORNADO          PALM BEACH GARDENS      26.83N 80.10W
03/31/2009  F0               PALM BEACH         FL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PICTURES SENT TO NWS BY MEDIA SHOW EVIDENCE OF SMALL
            TORNADO NEAR THE TIME THE CIRCULATION WAS EVIDENT IN TPBI
            TDWR IN THE VICINITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS. THIS COINCIDE
            ALSO WITH REAL TIME REPORTS RECEIVED BY TRAINED SPOTTERS
            OF A POSSIBLE TORNADO TOUCHDOWN BETWEEN LILAC AND
            MILITARY TRAIL. HAIL WAS ALSO REPORTED WITH THIS EVENT AS
            WELL AS TREES DOWN IN THE INTERSECTION OF DONALD ROSS
            ROAD AND A1A.

&&

SANTOS

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Coastal Collier County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Coastal Collier County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Coastal Miami-Dade County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Coastal Miami-Dade County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Coastal Palm Beach County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Coastal Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Far South Miami-Dade County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Far South Miami-Dade County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Glades

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Glades forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.957, -81.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Hendry

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Hendry forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.554, -81.166 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Inland Broward County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Inland Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Inland Collier County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Inland Collier County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.099, -81.381 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Inland Miami-Dade

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Inland Miami-Dade forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Inland Palm Beach County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Inland Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Mainland Monroe

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Mainland Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.557, -80.917 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Metro Broward County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Metro Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Metro Palm Beach County

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Metro Palm Beach County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.648, -80.436 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Metropolitan Miami-Dade

When
April 1, 12:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Metropolitan Miami-Dade forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
25.609, -80.499 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

Drought, Coastal Broward County

When
April 1, 7:00 AM EST to April 30, 11:59 PM EST
Where
Coastal Broward County forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
26.152, -80.456 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

April continued the stretch of very dry conditions across South Florida. The five-month period from November 2008 to April 2009 was the second driest on record for most South Florida locations. April rainfall was less than an inch at most locations, with only metro sections of Southeast Florida receiving between 1.5 and 2.5 inches for the month.

Drought conditions spread and intensified across the region. Extreme drought (D3) were noted over interior South Florida, with severe drought (D2) noted over the remainder of mainland South Florida. The level of Lake Okeechobee fell from 12.2 feet at the beginning of the month to 11.1 feet by the end of the month, which was 2.5 feet below normal levels.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Florida in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Florida, April 2009

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 168053, 168054, 168055, 168056, 168057, 168058, 168059, 168060, 168061, 168062, 168063, 168064, 168065, 168066, 168067.