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State Slips Back Into Drought

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By NEIL JOHNSON

njohnson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - A good portion of West Central Florida slipped into a moderate drought during the past week, and nearly a quarter of the state now is in some level of drought.

More than 6 percent of Florida is considered to be in a moderate drought, centered around the Tampa Bay area.

The driest parts of the state include nearly all of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties and extend east into the west half of Polk County.

Abnormally dry conditions, the first stage of drought, extend south to Sarasota County and cover the coastal counties from Hillsborough through Levy County.

The Climate Prediction Center said abnormally dry conditions are affecting about 17 percent of the state. A week ago it was 10 percent, and three months ago the entire state was drought-free.

The climate center's outlook for the next three months calls for below-normal rainfall.

Rainfall over most of Florida for November has ranged from one-half to 2 inches below normal.

At Tampa International Airport, the National Weather Service has recorded measureable rain on three days this month, totaling 0.37 inch, including 0.05 inch Tuesday.

The monthly total is nearly 1 inch below normal for November.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

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