Drought Information for Central Alabama
Updated January 3rd, 2013

 

Drought Conditions Improve in Eastern Sections of Central Alabama

Synopsis...

Drought conditions continue across the eastern portions of Central Alabama...but have improved due to recent rainfall.  The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that extreme drought is found to the right of a line from near Ft. Mitchell to Cecil to Welona to Mt.Cheaha to Ranburne.  Moderate to severe drought is found to the right of a line from Fort Deposit to Burnsville to Talladega Springs to Anniston to Forney.   Remaining areas are indicated to be near normal or abnormally dry.  

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

 U.S. Drought Monitor
 

Climate Summary...

In general above normal rainfall occurred during December...with most places receiving between five and eight inches with locally greater amounts.   For 2012 rainfall was heaviest over the western half of Central Alabama...averaging between fifty and seventy inches...while the eastern half averaged between thirty and fifty inches.  
Some precipitation amounts for Central Alabama from January 1st through January 2nd (For up to the most recent climate report...click on the city.):

Birmingham

 1.40

Montgomery
0.34

Anniston
1.28

Tuscaloosa
0.91

Calera
1.15

Troy

             0.36

 

 

 

 

 

Average precipitation expected and departure from normal from January 1st through January 2nd:

 

Birmingham
0.27
+1.13

Montgomery
0.25
+0.09

Anniston

   0.24
+1.04

Tuscaloosa
0.28
+0.63
     Calera

  0.29

  +0.86
      Troy

  0.34

  +0.02

 

 

 

Hydrologic Impacts...
Lawn & Garden Index Crop Moisture Index

Soil moistures are still running below normal for this time of the year in areas experiencing drought.  Elsewhere across Central Alabama soil moistures are generally near or above normal.
 

Agricultural Impacts...

The latest  USDA reports indicated that the harvesting of corn...cotton...peanuts and soybeans has been completed.  Pastures are reported to be going into the winter months in fair to good condition in Coosa...Elmore and Tallapoosa Counties. Recent rainfall has helped winter forages in other areas of Central Alabama.

The latest reports from the USDA (from Nov. 26, 2012):

 

Crop
% Poor or Worse
% Fair or Better
Livestock

 3

 97
Pasture & Range

16

 84

 Cotton

 1

99

Soybeans

 2

98
Peanuts  0 100

 

  
 

Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI)

Fire Danger Impacts...

The fire danger risk across Central Alabama has improved during the past few  weeks.  Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) generally range below 200 to the north of a Livingston to Prattville to Roanoke line.  To the south of this line values ranged between 200 and 400.   Values above 500 indicate a Severe Fire Danger.

The Alabama Forestry Commission currently reports that there is no Fire Alert or Drought Emergency issued.  However, the State Forester is still urging everyone to use all necessary safety precautions when doing any type of outdoor burning.
 

Hydrologic Summary and Outlook...

Stream flows reported by USGS gages are currently running near or above normal across much of the area.

In general most major reservoirs are near their winter pool levels although some have risen a little following the recent rainfall.  Listed below are current levels for some of the major reservoirs across Central Aabama and levels from December 3rd:
Reservoir
Level for 01/03/2013
Level for 12/03/2012
Weiss
558.1
559.4
Neely Henry
506.5
506.7
Logan Martin
459.7
460.8
Lay
395.8
395.8
Mitchell
311.9
311.9
Jordan
251.4
251.7
R.L. Harris
784.6
784.8
Martin
479.4
481.4
Smith
507.6
500.0
Bankhead
254.6
254.2
Holt
186.6
186.5

USGS Daily Streamflow Conditions
 

Social Impacts...

Most area reservoir levels are at or near their winter pool levels...although some have risen a little following the recent rainfall.  Currently there is not a widespread threat of municipal water shortages.   
 
Seasonal Drought Outlook

Precipitation & Temperature Outlook...

Some light rainfall was lingering over the southeast portions of Central Alabama early today...but was gradually pushing out of the area.  This will give way to dry conditions tonight and Friday...but another weather disturbance will bring chances of some mostly light rainfall Saturday night.  Behind this system mostly dry conditions will return to the area and prevail into early next week.  Cumulative rainfall totals through Tuesday should average less than one quarter of an inch.

The two week outlook...from January 8th through January 16th...calls for above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation chances.

The longer-range outlook for the remainder of January through March is for above normal normal temperatures and near to above normal chances of precipitation.

The latest seasonal drought outlook through March indicates that in general drought conditions are expected to improve in the drought area.
 

Update Statement...

The next statement will be issued around January 31st, or sooner if conditions warrant.

 

 

 

USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state and local government web resources and services.