Drought

Gradual improvement to drought conditions are forecast as the rainy season gets started in about six weeks.

Rainfall totals since the beginning of the year are more than 70 percent below normal.

Polk County issued a burn ban following a wildfire that covered 1,000 acres.

Consistent high temperatures could "accelerate the outset of drought,” says one climatologist.

The winter months tend to be the driest months of the year in Florida and this can be exacerbated during a La Niña winter. For Panhandle locations, drought conditions are expected to worsen.

Record warm August temperatures in South Florida, combined with rainfall deficits, play a role in current drought conditions.

Rain on dry ground is "like pouring water on concrete."

Three wildfires that started over the weekend are still threatening neighborhoods in Bay County.

Firefighters work to contain three wildfires in Bay County as high winds and dry conditions make their efforts more challenging.

The greater Tampa Bay region is one of the driest areas in the state.

The United States Department of Agriculture highlighted the western half of Central Florida as “abnormally dry” last week.

La Niña leading up to the winter months follows an early end to what has been an active rainy season.