Drought Season

The dry season in the Everglades usually extends from late October through early May. In recent years record heat, humidity and lack of rain continues through June bringing drought and decimation to the wildlife to the Everglades. As water recedes thousands upon thousands of fish die prematurely and wading birds compete for food in small pools of water, as do reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and other wildlife. As pools of water contract the density of fish increase dramatically resulting in feeding frenzies among wading birds, alligators, and some mammals. Florida weather continues to be very dry, especially January and March 2020. March was the driest March in 106 years. Because of that, the current 12-month rainfall total (through March 2020) has fallen to 0.6 inches below-average in our central counties and the southern counties are now a much more significant 7.9 inches below average. (South Florida Ecological Services)