Rainfall slightly above normal in November

Rainfall in the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) in November slightly exceeded the long-term average for the month, with Jefferson County getting the most rain. This is according to the district’s latest hydrologic conditions report. Districtwide, the Suwannee received 2.76 inches in November, a tenth above the long-term average of 2.65 inches, with Jefferson County receiving 6.56 inches. Overall, however, the area received less than two inches of rain during the month. “The highest gauged monthly rainfall total (9.38 inches) was recorded at the Sneads Smokehouse Lake station in northern Jefferson County,” the report states. The average rainfall across the district for the 12-month period ending Nov. 30 was 51.7 inches, compared to the long-term average of 54.6 inches. “The cumulative 12-month deficit increased marginally to 2.9 inches,” the report states. The average district rainfall for the three months ending Nov. 30 totaled 9.4 inches, “about 15 percent below the long-term average of 11.0 inches,” according to the report. Madison County, for its part, received 3.27 inches, compared with the November average of 3.12 inches, which is 105 percent of normal for the month. Madison County received 48.80 inches during the last 12 months, or 87 percent of the annual normal. Jefferson County’s 6.56 inches was almost double the November average of 3.44. The 6.56 inches represent 190 percent of the normal. The county received 48.23 inches of rainfall during the last 12 months, or 80 percent of the annual normal. River levels began the month within the normal range of flow, a few rose above normal levels and all increased significantly as a result of the higher than normal rain, according to the report. The Aucilla River, however, maintained a normal flow, despite the higher than normal rainfall. Monitored lake levels in the district generally declined during the month. Groundwater levels in upper Florida monitored wells continued to decrease across most areas of the district, ending the month at the 59th percentile, “a decrease of three percentile from October,” the report states. The report notes that the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is forecasting “above-normal rainfall conditions for December and now projects them to continue through May for north Florida.” It further notes that the Nov. 24 report of the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated “abnormally dry conditions in Jefferson, Taylor and Dixie counties, with normal conditions for the rest of the district.” The SRWMD continues to urge the conservation of water. For more Information, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com.