Although the La Ni a event has diminished somewhat into 2001, a dryer and cooler weather pattern has sustained the below normal annual rainfall amounts in Florida. The year 2000 was Florida's driest on record, exacerbating the drought into a severe to exceptional stage across much of the state. This drought is now responsible for increasing water restrictions, burn bans, sinkholes, wildfires and agricultural losses. The Climate Prediction Center forecasts the drought to continue into the summer, with slightly below normal rainfall through April. Listen to your local officials about water restrictions in your area.
Drought conditions are fire conditions.