At the end of August, drought threatens large parts of the Mississippi coast
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX) – Drought conditions are beginning to prevail along the entire Mississippi coast, according to the drought monitor released this week.
Some parts of Mississippi are even experiencing severe drought. However, along the coast, drought is minimal.
Precipitation so far in August in the Gulfport area
At Gulfport Airport, there has been enough rain in this one spot, so there is no deficit there. However, this is not the case for most of the rest of coastal Mississippi.
Heavy rain fell in the Gulfport area on Sunday, August 4. However, most days this month have not seen much rain.
Rainfall so far in August for the rest of the MS coastal region
Rainfall so far in August has been about 5 inches in parts of Gulfport, which is slightly above normal. Other areas have seen 1-3 inches of rain, which is below normal. And some spots have seen less than 1 inch of rain, which is well below normal.
Compared to normal, most coastal Mississippi has seen less than normal rainfall so far in August. Gulfport is seeing almost normal rainfall. However, Vancleave is seeing only half as much rain as expected. And areas near Poplarville, Picayune and Pascagoula have seen little rain compared to normal.
Is rain possible?
There is a chance of rain every day for the next seven days in parts of coastal Mississippi. However, it is possible that there will be no rain at all and that the majority of the rain will stay offshore in the Gulf.
In August, our part of the country generally relies on two factors to get rain. On the one hand, we experience the typical daily sudden showers and thunderstorms. On the other hand, August also usually has tropical weather such as a tropical wave or tropical system that brings rain. Without these two factors, our weather dries out and warms up quickly, which can cause droughts.
Do you remember last summer?
The summer 2023 drought intensified to the highest possible levels. Parts of the Mississippi coast even reached the “Exceptional” drought category. You can read more about it in this 2023 WLOX web article by clicking here.
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