3 ms·

This is the "dry season" in Florida (or at least in the Tampa Bay area). Normally we don't get any rain this time of year, which is why I think they can call th

This is the "dry season" in Florida (or at least in the Tampa Bay area). Normally we don't get any rain this time of year, which is why I think they can call this is a "1-in-1000" year event: not because the scale of flooding is so unheard of, but because extreme flooding in mid April is really bizzare. I don't mean to undermine the severity of the situation, but I think the headline is misleading, as most probably think of south Florida as a big swamp with rain all year round.

0zemp1c 4y ago
While the 25.91-inch rainfall total recorded in Fort Lauderdale is still preliminary, if it gets confirmed, it will be the greatest 24-hour precipitation total recorded in the state. Currently, the record stands at 23.28 inches, which was reported in Key West on Nov. 11, 1980. https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/state-of-emergency-declared-in-fort-lauderdale-as-heavy-rain-drenches-south-florida/1511926 https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/state-of-emerg... so this seems like a record regardless of month
- brucethemoose2 4y ago
  Well then, that just makes it all the more extreme. It would be like getting a record high in the late fall.
lanza 4y ago
I've lived in Florida over 30 years. Mostly in the South, but also for stints in central and northern. I've literally never heard of a "dry season." yay-it's-not-raining-every-single-day-and-the-grass-isn't-flooded-season sure.
- detourdog 4y ago
  The swamp outside of Gainesville I lived in definitely had a dryer season where it was passable on foot.
  - bell-cot 4y ago
    "passable on foot" meaning "didn't need to worry 'bout hip boots", or "didn't need to worry 'bout gators"?
    - detourdog 4y ago
      Both the swamp was either high or dry. When it was wet one really needed motivation to go wading although we had swimming holes. When it was dry the water ways were clearly defined and could be avoided. The cold blooded creatures were I believe dormant at this time. Although being able to see the ground gave me a lot of confidence. No doubt my Dad would be locked up today although the judge would have had a hard time figuring out which parent was the responsible party.
- jMyles 4y ago
  > I've literally never heard of a "dry season." That seems strange to me. The second sentence of the wikipedia article on the matter is, "There are two basic seasons in the Tampa Bay area, a hot and wet season from May through October, and a mild and dry season from November through April." [0] The University of South Florida, on its page advising incoming students and faculty about how to prepare for the climate, says, "Tampa, Florida has a humid, subtropical climate with two distinct seasons: a hot and humid season from May through October and a milder, dry season from November through April." ...and really: it's plain to see for anybody who lives here. I've only lived here 3 years, but everyone I know regards the local climate as 2-season, and has home and/or lifestyle preparations for each. 0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Tampa_Bay_area https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Tampa_Bay_area 1: https://www.usf.edu/world/international-services/arrival-and-orientation/living-in-tampa-bay/weather.aspx https://www.usf.edu/world/international-services/arrival-and...
  - lanza 4y ago
    From looking at a few different climate charts, Tampa seems drier, but still 1.8 inches. Where I live (Orlando) it averages 2.6 inches this month and weather forecasts have it raining twice over the next week and there was a thunderstorm earlier today. I guess from having lived some time in north and south California I assume "dry" means "actually dry" as in "it's not going to rain at all this month".

0zemp1c 4y ago

While the 25.91-inch rainfall total recorded in Fort Lauderdale is still preliminary, if it gets confirmed, it will be the greatest 24-hour precipitation total recorded in the state. Currently, the record stands at 23.28 inches, which was reported in Key West on Nov. 11, 1980. https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/state-of-emergency-declared-in-fort-lauderdale-as-heavy-rain-drenches-south-florida/1511926 https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/state-of-emerg... so this seems like a record regardless of month

brucethemoose2 4y ago
Well then, that just makes it all the more extreme. It would be like getting a record high in the late fall.

lanza 4y ago

I've lived in Florida over 30 years. Mostly in the South, but also for stints in central and northern. I've literally never heard of a "dry season." yay-it's-not-raining-every-single-day-and-the-grass-isn't-flooded-season sure.

detourdog 4y ago
The swamp outside of Gainesville I lived in definitely had a dryer season where it was passable on foot.
- bell-cot 4y ago
  "passable on foot" meaning "didn't need to worry 'bout hip boots", or "didn't need to worry 'bout gators"?
  - detourdog 4y ago
    Both the swamp was either high or dry. When it was wet one really needed motivation to go wading although we had swimming holes. When it was dry the water ways were clearly defined and could be avoided. The cold blooded creatures were I believe dormant at this time. Although being able to see the ground gave me a lot of confidence. No doubt my Dad would be locked up today although the judge would have had a hard time figuring out which parent was the responsible party.
jMyles 4y ago
> I've literally never heard of a "dry season." That seems strange to me. The second sentence of the wikipedia article on the matter is, "There are two basic seasons in the Tampa Bay area, a hot and wet season from May through October, and a mild and dry season from November through April." [0] The University of South Florida, on its page advising incoming students and faculty about how to prepare for the climate, says, "Tampa, Florida has a humid, subtropical climate with two distinct seasons: a hot and humid season from May through October and a milder, dry season from November through April." ...and really: it's plain to see for anybody who lives here. I've only lived here 3 years, but everyone I know regards the local climate as 2-season, and has home and/or lifestyle preparations for each. 0: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Tampa_Bay_area https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Tampa_Bay_area 1: https://www.usf.edu/world/international-services/arrival-and-orientation/living-in-tampa-bay/weather.aspx https://www.usf.edu/world/international-services/arrival-and...
- lanza 4y ago
  From looking at a few different climate charts, Tampa seems drier, but still 1.8 inches. Where I live (Orlando) it averages 2.6 inches this month and weather forecasts have it raining twice over the next week and there was a thunderstorm earlier today. I guess from having lived some time in north and south California I assume "dry" means "actually dry" as in "it's not going to rain at all this month".