LIVE OAK — Rainfall in September reached a record low of 0.92 inches on average throughout the North Florida.

The Suwannee River Water Management District observed 15 rain gauges that received less than 0.5 inches throughout north central Florida. District rainfall records extend to 1932.

“Counties within the district received high rainfall for June and July, while the spring months were relatively dry,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the district. “Low rainfall amounts in September could lower river levels, as well as groundwater levels.”

The SRWMD monitors 42 rain gauges throughout all or part of the 15 counties it serves. 

The 1932-2018 average rainfall for the month of September is 5.58 inches. However, area rain gauges displayed less than half the average amount of rainfall for this September and no rain gauge within the district recorded more than two inches of rainfall.

The second lowest recorded rainfall for the month of September is 1.03 inches in 1972. 

Overall, the SRWMD has received an average of 56.96 inches in the past 12 months. The 1932-2018 average annual total of rainfall is 54.73 inches.