CoCoRaHS

FLORIDA

A Community Collaborative

Rain, Hail & Snow Network

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Fall 2022 Newsletter

Greetings from the Coordinators,

It has been quite some time but we are pleased to bring back the Florida CoCoRaHS newsletters! These newsletters will be released quarterly to keep you informed about recent observer activity, climatological trends and stories, and other activities and announcements. In this newsletter, we provide a year-end overview of the seasonal weather and climate patterns for 2022; take a look back at this year's Atlantic hurricane season; and show you what to expect for the rest of the winter season. Your state co-coordinators are Ivetta Abramyan, professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville, and Emily Powell, assistant state climatologist at Florida State University. Lastly, we would like to thank you for your continued support and dedication to the CoCoRaHS program. We hope you enjoy the newsletter and please feel free to drop us a line any time!


We wish you all a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!


Emily Powell

epowell@coaps.fsu.edu

Ivetta Abramyan

ivetta.abramyan@fscj.edu

2022 Year in Review


2022 is shaping up to be another warmer than normal year in Florida and the U.S., though rainfall was a more mixed bag. Statewide average temperatures were generally above the long-term 20th century average throughout the year. We started the year on a dry note, but a more active storm pattern emerged in spring helping to alleviate drought in the Peninsula and south Florida. Hurricanes Ian and Nicole then brought excess rainfall across the Peninsula, while drought developed across the Panhandle in the fall.


The figure below shows the 2022 year-to-date accumulated rainfall totals across the CoCoRaHS network, in inches (through December 9). The data are interpolated using stations with at least 50% reporting for the year. Areas that saw the greatest amount of rainfall were in southwest and southeastern coastal areas, areas near and just east of Orlando, and the central Panhandle.

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Summary of Seasonal Climate Trends in 2022


Winter 2021-2022


Warm and dry characterized the beginning of the year. The statewide average mean winter temperature (December-February) was 64.7°F, which was 3.8°F above the long-term average (1901-2000). This ranked as the 11th-warmest winter on record for Florida in 128 years. The statewide seasonal average precipitation total was 5.18 inches, which was 3.66 inches below the long-term mean. This ranked as the 15th-driest winter on record in 128 years. While December 2021 was +7.9°F above average and ranked as the 3rd-warmest December on record, late January brought record cold temperatures and freezes that were felt even in south Florida. January and February were generally dry with below normal rainfall, and February 2022 became the 9th-driest February on record.

Spring 2022


Warm weather continued in the spring, and a wetter, more active storm pattern emerged. The statewide seasonal average mean temperature (March-May) was 72.7°F, which was +3.2°F above average and ranked as the 3rd-warmest spring on record in Florida. Spring saw a seasonal statewide average precipitation total of 13.31 inches, which was 2.62 inches above the long-term mean for the state, making it the 29th-wettest spring on record in Florida. March kicked off the season with above-normal temperatures and wet weather. The Big Bend and North Florida had as much as 8 inches of surplus rainfall during the month of March. Rain returned in the Peninsula during the second half of the season, which helped to alleviate drought conditions in some areas of the Peninsula.

Summer 2022


Summer saw continued above-average warmth with near normal rainfall. The statewide seasonal average mean temperature (June-August) was 82.6°F, which was 2.1°F above average for the season. This was the 6th-warmest summer on record for Florida overall. We had our 7th-warmest June on record, 5th-warmest July, and the 12th-warmest August on record in Florida, based on statewide monthly average temperatures. Rainfall was a mixed bag. The seasonal average precipitation total was 21.21 inches, which was 0.24 inches below the long-term average (1901-2000), partly due to an inactive tropical season in July and August. South Florida received surplus rainfall in June with the passing of Alex, an early season storm. There was enough rainfall throughout the summer, however, to keep drought at bay, although pockets of abnormally dry conditions affected different parts of the state throughout the summer. Moderate drought emerged in late August in central coastal Florida.

Fall 2022


Fall was punctuated by a rare colder-than-normal October but was otherwise above normal. The statewide seasonal average temperature (September-November) was 73.8°F, which was 1.9°F above average. This ranked as the 14th-warmest fall on record in 128 years. The seasonal average precipitation total was 14.29 inches, which was 1.59 inches above the long-term average. This ranked as the 36th-wettest fall on record. September 2022 ranked as the 15th-wettest September on record. Excess rainfall during September is attributed to Hurricane Ian. The October statewide monthly mean temperature was -0.6°F below the long-term average for a rare below-normal month of October. October 2022 ranked as the 8th-driest October on record. It was especially dry in the Panhandle, and drought emerged and expanded throughout the month. November 2022 ranked as the 7th-warmest November on record at +5.4°F above the long-term mean temperature. Hurricane Nicole brought more rain across the central Peninsula. November 2022 ranked as the 18th-wettest November on record. However, the Panhandle did not receive sufficient rainfall and drought persisted.


The maps below show the seasonal precipitation departures from normal based on observations from the CoCoRaHS network. Click on each individual map to view a larger image.

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Extremes Across Florida


Since 1 January 2022:

Highest total through 12 December: 94.42" at Margate 0.4W, Broward Co. (BW-79)

Lowest total through 12 December: 51.71" at Gainesville 7.8 WSW, Alachua Co. (AL-96)


Since 1 May 2022 (approximate start of the wet season):

Highest total through 12 December: 78.98" at Margate 0.4W, Broward Co. (BW-79)

Lowest total through 12 December: 26.49" at Tallahassee 0.6 ENE, Leon Co. (LN-79)


*based on 90% completeness

2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Recap


The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended November 30. It was a near-average season overall in terms of number of storms, with slightly below-average levels of ACE (Accumulated Cyclone Energy). In total, there were 14 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes; 6 of these storms affected the southeastern U.S.


Colorado State University (CSU) released their hurricane season verification report (see table below). The total number of named storms and hurricanes verified well and were near the 1991-2020 averages, but the season was below normal based on other metrics like ACE, number of major hurricanes, and number of hurricane days.


Hurricane Ian was the most impactful hurricane of the Atlantic 2022 season for the U.S., which caused over 130 U.S. fatalities and at least $50 billion in damages. Hurricane Fiona also caused significant impacts in Puerto Rico and Canada's Atlantic provinces and had the lowest central pressure (about 931 mb) recorded for a landfalling storm in Canada on record.

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Hurricane Ian


Hurricane Ian was the 2nd major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm made landfall as a strong category 4 hurricane on Cayo Costa Island in southwest Florida on September 28th and made a second U.S. landfall near Georgetown, SC on the 30th. Ian resulted in widespread and devastating impacts from southwest to northeast Florida due to high storm surge and waves, high winds, tornadoes, and inland flooding. Read the Special Report on Ian from the Florida Climate Center to learn more.

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The figures below show the daily rainfall totals reported during the storm by CoCoRaHS observers, along with some of the highest daily rainfall totals in the tables below each map, followed by select observer comments.

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Observer Comment Corner During Hurricane Ian:


28 September 2022, Port St. Lucie (SL-50): "Outer feeder rain bands from Hurricane Ian...mostly overnight and early AM hours. Street flooding. 5.88" was still raining at time of reading at 8am."


28 September 2022, Plant City (HB-177): "Outer bands from hurricane IAN started to move into the area yesterday evening into the over night hours. No severe weather in our area during this period. Ground is already and was previously saturated. Water is starting to pond in the back corner of our property. Ditches in the area are full and ponds are near full." 


28 September 2022, Auburndale (PK-76): "High winds and heavy rainfall from hurricane Ian passing in just the south my station, wind gust of 55 to 60 mph."


29 September 2022, Edgewater (HB-10): “Between 11:30 PM and 7:30 AM, we got 10.31 inches. Glad I emptied the gauge before bed. Not that I got much sleep.”


29 September 2022, Winter Springs (SM-43): “Our property sustained line damage of down branches. We are very lucky. A couple of blocks away, completely submerged and there are flood rescue efforts going on.”


29 September 2022, Apopka (OR-73): "It’s still coming down in buckets. Still very windy. My umbrella broke! My yard up to the fence is ok. From the fence to the street is flooded."


29-30 September 2022, Port Orange (VL-62): “Power outage, internet down, unable to report recorded rainfall, travelled out of town to help with friend's cleanup, flooding in neighborhood / yard 8 inches worst in 30 years.”


01 October 2022, Tradition (SL-17): "Last month, September 2022, was the most precipitation, 17.67", at this site since I have been recording in late 2008."


01 October 2022, Rockledge (BV-13): "For September, 21.23", the 3rd highest in my 40+ years here for any month. For the year, 61.05", which is above avg by some 16"."

Hurricane Nicole


Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a category 1 hurricane on November 10 near Vero Beach with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It moved through central Florida, briefly emerged in the Gulf of Mexico, and made a second landfall later that day northwest of Cedar Key in the Big Bend region. The storm brought high winds, high surf, storm surge flooding, heavy rainfall, and significant beach erosion in areas previously impacted by Ian, including in Vilano Beach, New Smyrna Beach, and Daytona Beach, which led to the collapse of beach structures. See the Summary Report for Nicole from the Florida Climate Center.

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Observer Comment Corner During Hurricane Nicole:


10 November 2022, De Land (VL-3): "Tropical Storm/Hurricane Nicole moved ashore last night near Vero Beach. This is a large storm and my area is in the north part of the storm. My highest gust so far has been 43 mph. The air pressure is currently 29.43". Heavy rain as you can see from the total above. So far, the power has remained on in my area."


10 November 2022, Vero Beach (IR-54): "Max winds here from Nicole 40 mph. Mostly misty blown drizzle after 4 AM. Power outages including this station. No standing water with very little in drainage canals. soggy soil."


10 November 2022, Fort Pierce (SL-15): "Direct hit of Hurricane Nicole Cat 1. Little rain, tide in canal off Indian River Lagoon near Fort Pierce Inlet was near top of seawall but not into house. About 2' tide above the already king tide."


11 November 2022, Port Orange (VL-60): "Nicole cleared out, not a big issue for us but devastating to the beach, about a mile away, 25 condo and hotel buildings declared unsafe and 25 homes also declared unsafe, all pending further inspection."

Seasonal Winter Outlook is Leaning Warmer and Drier than Normal for Florida


NOAA's Climate Prediction Center anticipates a warmer than normal winter season, from December through February, for Florida and the Southeast U.S. Precipitation is leaning below normal across Florida, with northern and central Florida having the greatest chances for below normal precipitation (50%-60% chance) this winter.

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Important Reminders

Multi-Day Rain Totals Require a Special Multi-Day Report


If your holiday travels take you away for a short or long trip, please be safe - especially if you are traveling anywhere north (even just to north Florida) as temperatures are expected to be extremely cold across much of the country. Also, remember to use the multi-day precipitation form when entering your rain totals when you return.


For example, let's assume your regular observation time is 8:00 AM and you leave for a vacation on the morning of December 20th, before your usual observation time, and return in the afternoon of December 26th. In this case, your next daily observation would occur at 8:00 AM on December 27th. At that time on the 27th, you find 2.15" in your gauge. Following this example, you'd enter a Multi-Day Accumulation Report, as shown in the graphic below, to cover the 20th-27th. There is no need to file an additional daily report.


If you ever have any questions about this or any other procedure, please let us or your regional or local coordinator know. 

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Be a Hero, Log Your Zeros


We really appreciate observers reporting zero precipitation when nothing has fallen. We realize that it takes time to enter your data daily and that a zero value may seem insignificant. However, a zero report is just as important as a non-zero. They help differentiate a site that actually received no rainfall from one where the observer simply didn’t make a report that day. They also help scientists identify and assess the extent and duration of droughts. The U.S. Drought Monitor uses this information to better determine where drought is occurring and how agricultural interests may be affected. Please remember to regularly report zeros, even on the driest of days.

Proper Gauge Siting


Location is the key to quality data. Please visit these resources to ensure that your gauge is properly placed.


https://www.cocorahs.org/Content.aspx?page=equip

https://media.cocorahs.org/docs/CoCoTrainingSlideshow_v10.1A.pdf

March Madness


CoCoRaHS March Madness is our friendly national recruiting contest to see which state can recruit the most new volunteers during the month of March.


The contest is broken down into two categories:


1. "Traditional Count" - the state that recruits the greatest overall number of new observers in March


2. "Per Capita" (or population-weighted) - the state that recruits the greatest number of new observers per one million of its total population

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The winning state in each category receives the "CoCoRaHS Cup" to keep and exhibit for a year until next year's contest (in the tradition of the NHL's Stanley Cup). The cup usually travels around the state during the year, so check with your state coordinator for its whereabouts. Florida won in 2017 and we need your help to bring the Cup back to the Sunshine State. Keep an eye out for emails from your coordinators as we get closer to contest time. Meanwhile, start thinking of family, friends or neighbors that you can recruit. They just have to live in Florida and sign up in March to be contest-eligible. 

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