A month-long period without rainfall is highly unusual. In fact, this is one of the longest periods without accumulating rainfall in the Panhandle.
That said, when a tropical cyclone passes to your east, the northerly winds on the west side of the circulation often pull cooler, drier airmasses into the region, especially in the fall. Powerful storms like Ian can also reshuffle the jet stream and lead to a new pattern locking in for an extended period of time.
In this case, the duration and severity of the dry spell is unusual following Ian, but the general phenomenon of a cooler and drier period following a hurricane is relatively common.
Absolutely. I also am an agricultural meteorologist, and hydrology is something I have to think about every day. In general, the worst years for yield aren't due to floods (other than 1993)... it's the heat and drought that get you. Unfortunately this winter is likely to be generally drier than normal across North Florida, though if we can finally get an El Nino going next year, the wet season outlook will improve.
Up here in North Florida seems like Ian sucked all the water out to sea for a few days prior to landing and through today.
Never seen the soil here so suddenly dry and not returning. Is this common with storms this big? Farmer Anna wants to know!
A month-long period without rainfall is highly unusual. In fact, this is one of the longest periods without accumulating rainfall in the Panhandle.
That said, when a tropical cyclone passes to your east, the northerly winds on the west side of the circulation often pull cooler, drier airmasses into the region, especially in the fall. Powerful storms like Ian can also reshuffle the jet stream and lead to a new pattern locking in for an extended period of time.
In this case, the duration and severity of the dry spell is unusual following Ian, but the general phenomenon of a cooler and drier period following a hurricane is relatively common.
Thank you for your input. Seems like this phenomenon is ignored here in the ground where the more obvious impact of the storm is more ‘news worthy’.
Farmers feel it while we try to conservatively use water, but need to pay attention to the longer life effect of plants and livestock.
Water is life…water can be death, too.
Absolutely. I also am an agricultural meteorologist, and hydrology is something I have to think about every day. In general, the worst years for yield aren't due to floods (other than 1993)... it's the heat and drought that get you. Unfortunately this winter is likely to be generally drier than normal across North Florida, though if we can finally get an El Nino going next year, the wet season outlook will improve.