Drought Parches Florida – NASA Science

Florida is one of the wettest U.S. states, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to drought. Nearly all of Florida faced at least “moderate” drought, and nearly 80% faced “extreme” conditions in April 2026, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unusually dry conditions hit the state for much of 2025, but the intensity and extent of the drought intensified beginning in January 2026.

Data from a satellite mission by NASA and the German Geosciences Research Center show that the drought has left its mark on the state’s groundwater reserves, which are often tapped for drinking water and agriculture. The map above combines data from the twin GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) satellites and ground-based measurements to estimate the relative amount of groundwater stored underground as of March 30, 2026. Colors represent moisture percentile, or how the amount of shallow groundwater compares to long-term records (1948-2010). The blue areas contain more water than usual, and the orange and red areas contain less. Aquifers in the northern and central regions of the state are particularly dry.

Drought is felt across Florida. Some water districts have placed restrictions on when water can be used for certain activities, such as watering lawns and washing cars. Media reports suggest the dry weather poses a threat to crops, many of which have already suffered serious damage during February’s severe frosts. Large wildfires have broken out in some areas, and even wetland ecosystems like the Everglades are facing unusually dry conditions.

Records from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicate the current drought is the most widespread and severe to hit the state since 2012. Many areas have received less than half of their normal precipitation since Sept. 1, 2025, according to the National Weather Service. St. Petersburg has received only 7.7 inches (195.6 millimeters) of rain since September 1, compared to 19.0 inches normally, making it the driest year on record for that period.

However, the current drought does not yet rival the worst drought to parch the state, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Their analysis indicates that the 2000-2001 drought was more intense, lasted longer and affected a larger area. GRACE-FO observations are among the sources of information that the US Drought Monitor considers when mapping drought conditions in its weekly assessments. Forecasters predict that a slow-moving rainstorm expected to hit Florida this week could offer some relief.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GRACE-FO data from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Adam Voiland.

• AccuWeather (April 5, 2026) Slow-moving rainstorm to ease Florida’s drought and wildfire risk this week. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Florida Climate Center (2026, February) Climate Summary for Florida. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (December 13, 2024) Aquifer Essentials. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (February 20, 2026) Commissioner Wilton Simpson announces that recent freezes have caused an estimated loss of more than $3 billion to Florida agriculture. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• FOX Business (March 11, 2026) Florida drought is adding pressure to the citrus industry as growers battle costs and disease. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• FOX Weather (March 25, 2026) New water restrictions in Florida have been issued as the historic drought intensifies, with little relief expected. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Main Street Daily News (2026) Florida aquifer levels hit their lowest level since 2011 with little rain in March. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• National Weather Service (2026, April 2) Drought Information Statement for West Central and Southwest Florida. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• National Weather Service (2026, April 2) Drought Information Statement for Southeast Alabama, Southwest Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• South Florida Water Management District Groundwater Modeling. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Southwest Florida Water Management District (March 24, 2026) declares a modified Phase III water shortage. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• Tampa Bay Times (March 21, 2026) ‘Dry to the bone’: Drought squeezes Everglades airboat operators. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• US Drought Monitor (2026, April 2) Florida. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• WUFT (March 11, 2026) Drought in North Florida is straining farmers as dry conditions persist. Accessed April 6, 2026.
• WUSF (March 24, 2026) Tighter outdoor watering restrictions are coming due to continued drought. Accessed April 6, 2026.