May is usually the continuation of our dry season. But this year, an upper level trough set up over the Gulf which allowed a long stretch of southerly winds in the mid and upper levels over Florida.
These winds were able to tap into tropical moisture well down to our south and bring this moisture continually across our state. So, daily showers and storms started on May 13, and lasted through the end of the month.
Many locations were well below normal with rainfall for the year, up until this pattern started. Now most locations in Florida are now above normal for the year so far.
The big record breaker was Lakeland with 19.19 inches. This the wettest May on record for Lakeland. This is 15.83 inches above normal. Not only the wettest May, but this total makes May 2018 the second wettest month on record. The only month on record to have more rainfall was July 2017 with 20.07 inches.
Rainfall totals for May
- Tampa had the 6th wettest May with 7.73 inches, which is 5.63 inches above normal
- Plant City had the second wettest with 14.27 inches
- St. Petersburg had the second wettest with 9.68 inches
- Brooksville had the third wettest with 12.25 inches
- Inverness had the third wettest with 10.61 inches
- Winter Haven 7.58 inches, seventh wettest May
- Tarpon Springs 6.79 inches, ninth wettest May
- Sarasota/Bradenton 6.79, inches, 10th wettest May