National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Drought Information for Central Alabama
Updated March 14th, 2013

Central Alabama Now Indicated To Be Drought Free

Synopsis...

Drought conditions have improved in East-central and Southeast Alabama following the recent rainfall that has occurred.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor now indicates that no drought conditions exist across Central Alabama.  Most areas are indicated to be near normal with only a few of the southeast sections indicated as abnormally dry. 

The Drought Monitor classifies drought within one of these five categories:

D0...Abnormally Dry
D1...Moderate Drought
D2...Severe Drought
D3...Extreme Drought
D4...Exceptional Drought

Climate Summary...

In general above normal rainfall occurred during January and February.  So far this month...rainfall is averaging from 1 to 3 inches.

Hydrologic Impacts...

Soil moistures are running above normal for this time of the year across all of Central Alabama.

Agricultural Impacts...

The latest  USDA reports indicated that the harvesting of corn...cotton...peanuts and soybeans has been completed.  Recent rainfall has helped winter crops across Central Alabama.

The latest reports from the USDA (from Nov. 26, 2012):

Fire Danger Impacts...

The fire danger risk across Central Alabama has improved due to the recent rainfall.  Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) generally range below 50 across Central Alabama.   Values above 500 indicate a Severe Fire Danger.

The Alabama Forestry Commission currently reports that there is no Fire Alert or Drought Emergency issued.  However, the State Forester is still urging everyone to use all necessary safety precautions when doing any type of outdoor burning.

Hydrologic Summary and Outlook...

Stream flows reported by USGS gages are currently running near normal across most of the area following the recent rainfall.

In general most major reservoirs are near their winter pool levels although some have risen as the spring recharge is beginning.  Listed below are current levels for some of the major reservoirs across Central Aabama and levels from February 15th:

Social Impacts...

Most area reservoir levels are at or near their winter pool levels...although some have risen as operators are beginning to fill them as we head into the spring season.  Currently there is not a threat of municipal water shortages.   

Precipitation & Temperature Outlook...

High pressure will prevail through the weekend...with mostly dry conditions.  The next significant chance for rain is expected around Monday as another cold front spreads rain and thunderstorms across the area.  Rainfall through Tuesday morning is expected to average around half an inch or less with this system.

The two week outlook...from March 19th through March 27th...calls for above normal temperatures transitioning to near normal and above normal precipitation chances.

The longer-range outlook for April through June is for above normal temperatures and near to below normal chances of precipitation.

The latest seasonal drought outlook through April indicates that in general drought conditions are not expected to return.

Update Statement...

This will be the last statement issued until drought conditions return to Central Alabama.