WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The latest Drought Monitor shows a mix of improvements and setbacks across Florida as scattered summer storms continue to deliver uneven rainfall across the state.
Some areas received 1 to 5 inches of rain during the past week, with the heaviest totals falling along Florida’s Gulf Coast and parts of the Panhandle. Those areas saw modest improvements in drought conditions. However, locations that missed out on the week’s showers experienced minor drought deterioration as longer-term rainfall deficits continued to build.
South Florida remains one of the driest parts of the state. According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, Miami recorded its fourth-driest month on record for the period, finishing nearly 4.7 inches below normal rainfall. Naples also ranked among its driest months, coming in sixth driest with a rainfall deficit of more than 2.6 inches.
The ongoing dryness continues to fuel impacts across the region. Water levels remain extremely low in parts of the western Everglades, and wildfire activity persists across the state. The Berger Fire in the Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County has burned more than 14,300 acres since it began on July 17…