Drought Information for Central Alabama

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Click for the 2008 Spring Flook Outlook for Central Alabama

Updated July 24, 2008

Synopsis...

Most areas across Central Alabama received some rain during the past couple of days...with some locally heavier amounts of three inches or more. However...dry weather prior to this rainfall combined with hot daytime temperatures resulted in continued drying of the soil across Central Alabama. As a result...the moderate to severe drought conditions have expanded further west. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates moderate to severe drought conditions east of a line from near Gainesville to Demopolis to Linden to Dixons Mill. Areas west of this line are experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

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

Most areas received some rainfall during the past couple of days... but amounts varied drastically. While many areas received less than half an inch...localized areas received three inches or more. So far in July...rainfall has averaged from three to five inches in most areas...with localized amounts over seven inches. A few areas have been drier with less than two inches. For the year... rainfall has averaged from twenty five to thirty five inches...with locally greater amounts.. For the month of July...normal rainfall in Central Alabama is from four and one quarter to six inches.

Some precipitation amounts for Central Alabama from January 1st through July 23rd:
(For up to the most recent climate report...click on the city.)

Average precipitation expected and departure from normal from January 1st through July 23rd:

Top soil moisture profiles have continued to decline with over sixty percent now indicated as short to very short. Subsoil moistures and groundwater also continue struggling to recover from the exceptional drought of last fall and summer...and could decline once again if periodic rainfall does not occur.

The USDA states that some corn crops have been adversely affected by the lack of rainfall...with some showing signs of stress. The cotton and soybean crop in many areas also needs rain in order to continue a normal growth pattern. Pasture conditions also deteriorated slightly during the past week. However...most livestock were reported to be in good to excellent condition.

Fire Danger Impacts...

Generally speaking...the fire danger risk across Central Alabama is high. Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) are currently between 525 and 725 across much of Central Alabama...but drop to around 350 in the immediate vicinity of Montgomery. Values above 500 indicate a severe fire danger.

The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that no counties are currently under a Fire Alert.

Hydrologic Impacts...

The majority of flows reported by United States Geological Survey gages remain below normal for this time of year...although some have temporarily returned to normal following the recent rainfall. Periodic rainfall will have to occur if stream flows are to return to or remain near normal.

Most reservoir levels have remained steady or fallen slowly during the past week. Periodic substantial rainfall will need to occur in order for the major reservoirs to maintain near normal levels through the summer.

Listed below are today`s levels for some of the major reservoirs across Central Alabama and last week's levels:

Social Impacts...

Area reservoirs used for municipal water supplies are gradually receding as we head into the peak of the summer season. The threat of water shortages for municipal water systems may increase as we progress into mid summer...especially if below normal rainfall occurs. Local water boards continue to encourage water conservation efforts across Central Alabama. The amount of beneficial rainfall that occurs during the remainder of this summer will be critical in determining if adequate water supplies are available in area reservoirs later this year.

Outlook...

The weak front that moved through the area the first part of the week and helped trigger our rainfall will meander across the area and become more diffuse during the next couple of days. This combined with sufficient moisture and instability will maintain a fairly typical summertime pattern of isolated to scattered mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms across Central Alabama into early next week. Although isolated heavy rainfall may occur at times...no widespread significant rainfall is expected at this time.

The outlook for week two...from July 31st through August 6th...calls for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation chances.

The longer-range outlook for the remainder of August through October is for above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation chances.

Update Statement...

The next drought information statement will be issued around July 31st...or earlier if significant changes in the current drought situation occur.

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