The lack of significant precipitation in the past week has led to increases in drought conditions almost everywhere in the region. Small improvements occurred in parts of Virginia, but most states experienced an expansion of drought and abnormally dry conditions. Dry conditions also expanded in Puerto Rico. The worst-hit areas of the region are in southwestern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle, where a D4 Exceptional Drought has now been designated due to their continuing lack of precipitation. Drought has also reappeared in southern Florida. The current La Nina is likely to make conditions there worse over the winter because La Nina winters are often warmer and drier than average, although there could be some temporary improvements. The latest seasonal outlook, released today (see related post), show the likely expansion of drought across the region except for northern Alabama and Tennessee.
