Synopsis...
The upper level low pressure system that brought rainfall to Alabama last week produced some scattered light rain last Thursday as it exited the region. Amounts were very light...averaging less than a tenth of an inch. High pressure then prevailed with dry conditions reported during the past week. However...the rainfall last week has provided some temporary relief to the severe drought conditions in Central Alabama...mainly in the western portions of the area. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor now has the D4 Exceptional Drought area east of a line from near Arley to Woodstock to Plantersville to Montgomery to Union Springs to Eufaula. D2 Severe to D3 Extreme Drought conditions continue to the west of this line as far as a Hamilton to Eutaw to Ft. Deposit line. Areas west of this line in extreme west Alabama are now in D1 Moderate Drought 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
During the past week, high pressure prevailed with mostly dry conditions. Monthly rainfall totals for October varied from around an inch in the extreme eastern counties of Central Alabama to a little over five inches in the extreme western counties. Normal rainfall for November across Central Alabama averages between four and five inches.
Even though some temporary improvement in drought conditions has occurred...mainly in the western areas...conditions will begin to deteriorate across Central Alabama again if additional rainfall does not occur.
Some precipitation amounts for Central Alabama from January 1st through October 31st :(For up to the most recent climate report...click on the city.)
Average precipitation expected and departure from normal from January 1st through October 31st :
Birmingham 44.89 -19.66
Montgomery 45.27 -13.16
Anniston 43.62 -27.43
Tuscaloosa 47.43 -26.27
Birmingham 44.89 -19.66
Montgomery 45.27 -13.16
Anniston 43.62 -27.43
Tuscaloosa 47.43 -26.27
Fire Danger Impacts...
The Fire Danger Risk remains high across Central Alabama. The Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) remain generally in the 600 to 700 range north of a line from near Livingston to Alabaster to Auburn. This indicates a High Fire Danger continues. However...to the south of this line, indices are generally in the 400 to 500 range...indicating a less severe Fire Danger at this time.
The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that no counties are currently under a Fire Alert.
The Fire Danger Risk remains high across Central Alabama. The Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) remain generally in the 600 to 700 range north of a line from near Livingston to Alabaster to Auburn. This indicates a High Fire Danger continues. However...to the south of this line, indices are generally in the 400 to 500 range...indicating a less severe Fire Danger at this time.
The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that no counties are currently under a Fire Alert.
Hydrologic Impacts...
Streamflows were beginning to decline once again as the effects from last week`s rainfall start to fade. The United States Geological Survey reports 40 to 45 percent of the state`s stream gages are reporting below normal flows...with ten percent of these gages at all time lows.
Streamflows were beginning to decline once again as the effects from last week`s rainfall start to fade. The United States Geological Survey reports 40 to 45 percent of the state`s stream gages are reporting below normal flows...with ten percent of these gages at all time lows.
Major river and reservoir levels continue much below normal with serious negative impacts continuing. Pool levels in most major reservoirs are at or below normal winter levels...with some approaching record low levels. Some of the most serious impacts continue on the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers...where many boat landings have become unusable due to extremely low lake levels. On Lake Martin...all marinas have shut down because there is no access to them due to extremely low lake levels. Gradual decreases in lake levels will continue if significant rainfall does not occur.
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