JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – You may hear us talk about being in a drought and think: How is that even possible with the amount of rain we get in the summertime?
Since Jan. 1, 2025, Duval County has received 40.61 inches of rain. The average is 49.44 inches, which is -8.83 below normal. Compared to 2024’s 61.65 inches, which was above average, we are well below the normal rainfall for the year of 53.4 inches.
Duval County recorded the 21st wettest August in 131 years when over 2.50 inches above normal fell at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA). Since September 1, 2025, only 5.13 inches of rain have been recorded, with less than 1 inch of that in the last 30 days.
Always good to keep in mind, rainfall amounts are officially recorded at JIA.
Definitions of drought
Drought is defined on drought.gov as the absence of precipitation, rather than the presence of an event such as a hurricane, tornado, or fire. It’s often described as a “creeping phenomenon” because it slowly impacts many sectors of the economy and operates on many different timescales.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “A period of dryness, especially when prolonged.”
American Meteorological Society: “A period of abnormally dry weather sufficiently long enough to cause a serious hydrological imbalance.”
NOAA’s National Weather Service: “A deficiency of moisture that results in adverse impacts on people, animals, or vegetation over a sizeable area.”
Not all droughts are created equally
Since Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are in the Southeast portion of the United States, we are considered to be in a “water rich” region. This means, on average, we receive more precipitation. However, with increasing demands for water and fewer rain events, we are struggling to stay out of drought conditions.
Compared to the California-Nevada region, we are in better shape. They have droughts that can last for multiple years. While our region has more rain events throughout the year, the California-Nevada region has specific seasons that dictate its rain events: the regional climate is characterized by a distinct dry season (approximately May to September) and wet season (October to April) defined by a few large precipitation events.
How bad is our drought?
Over the past week, portions of our region have experienced worsening drought conditions, mostly along the upper Suwannee River and eastward near and north of the I-10 corridor.
No areas in our region have improved.
Additionally, there’s no rain in the forecast over the next seven days, even though this is a drier season.
How you can help
The best way to help during a drought is to be weather-ready by conserving water and practicing fire prevention.
Click here for a complete look at the National Weather Service Drought Information Statement.