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Drought Watch: Moderate, Severe Conditions Linger In Current Cycle

local drought monitor (06/08/2017)
Posted at 4:15 PM, Jun 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-08 12:25:30-04

MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- Periods of showers and thunderstorms through early this week resulted in slight drought relief across the state line region, according to the latest Drought Monitor released Thursday morning.

Data from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows a shrinking in the Severe Drought range over south Georgia, generally covering areas between U.S 84 and U.S. 82 and the Okefenokee region of southeast Georgia. 

In northern Florida, Moderate Drought category covered the entire Suwannee River valley, west to Jefferson County.  The Abnormally Dry category persisted in the central Big Bend, but retreated from the Apalachicola River.

The Drought Monitor considers rainfall for a week-long period ending June 6.  Therefore, the bountiful rain event from Wednesday in many north Florida and a few south Georgia counties is not considered in this week's update.  It is possible, with additional chances for showers and thunderstorms resuming Sunday, that a further reduction in drought intensity in the local area will be shown with next week's monitor readings.