Temperatures in the low 80°s F (28° C) and pervasive drought reveal pilings
in a local lake that had been hidden for decades.
Rainfall has been scarce over much of East Central Florida since the first of November 2011. This has been especially true from Lake County eastward to Volusia and northern Brevard counties where total precipitation amounts since November 1st are averaging 5 to 8 inches below normal (-127 to -203 mm). This, coupled with years of drier than normal conditions over the same area has led some lakes to disappear entirely. Our 700 acre lake in Deltona is nothing more than a puddle today.
Where water was once 12 to 14 feet deep (3.6 to 4.2 m) all that remains is
cracked, dry ground or rapidly spreading grasslands.
According to the latest drought monitor from February 9th, 2012, severe (D2) drought conditions now exist across Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange and parts of Brevard counties (including the cities of Daytona Beach and Orlando). Moderate drought conditions (D1) extend across much of the remainder of central Florida.
Even the giant live oaks (Quercus virginiana) that have survived
for hundreds of years appear stressed. . .dropping their leaves months
before they normally shed old leaves for new ones.
STATISTICS FOR THIS DRY SEASON
note that these numbers don't indicate past deficits
they only indicate deficits since Nov. 1, 2011.
DAYTONA BEACH -5.91" (-150 mm)
ORLANDO -6.14" (-156 mm)
DELAND -5.67" (-144 mm)
SANFORD -8.05" (-204 mm)
A dry lake. . . all that remains are puddles in the deepest muck.
RAINFALL OUTLOOK
The latest El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion says that the current mature La Niña conditions persisting over the equatorial Pacific Ocean will gradually wane. La Niña conditions typically lead to fewer storm systems over Florida and much below average rainfall. This is the 3rd consecutive year of La Niña conditions in the Pacific.
The dry outlook for the net few months will likely continue to worsen drought conditions over all of central Florida.
READ MORE about the ongoing drought:
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