Extreme drought has vanished from Florida's map, but Clearwater homeowners still face one-day-per-week lawn watering limits through March 2027.

The U.S. Drought Monitor update released Oct. 13 showed that extreme drought areas across west-central Florida, including the Tampa Bay region, had disappeared since the prior week's map, WMNF reported. On Oct. 6, isolated pockets of extreme drought lingered near the Gulf Coast and farther inland. By Oct. 13, those pockets were gone.

Much of the region is now classified under moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions. Recent rainfall has likely helped replenish soil moisture, according to the WMNF report, though longer-term impacts like low groundwater levels may take more time to recover. Rain from Tropical Storm Isaias may have contributed to the improvement.

The good news has not changed the rules for Clearwater residents.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as SWFWMD, declared a Modified Phase III "Extreme" Water Shortage Order that includes Clearwater. The order remains in effect through March 31, 2027, according to the city of Clearwater's water restrictions page. Sprinkler irrigation is limited to one day per week during two windows: midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight. Even-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays. Odd-numbered addresses water on Thursdays. Violations can draw citations without a prior warning.

The region's 12-month rainfall total is 15.4 inches below normal, according to SWFWMD. Water levels in lakes, rivers and the aquifer remain very low for this time of year.

Warren Hogg, chief science officer for Tampa Bay Water, explained the gap between improving maps and lasting recovery when the district extended restrictions in September. "A few weeks of rain does not end a long-term drought," Hogg told WTSP on Sept. 23.

The C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir, which supplies water to the Tampa Bay region, held 10.4 billion gallons as of Oct. 8, up from 5.5 billion gallons a month earlier, according to St. Pete Catalyst. The reservoir's full capacity is 15.5 billion gallons. Pinellas County Commissioner Dave Eggers called the reservoir the region's "shock absorber" for the dry season at the Oct. 8 commission meeting.

Florida's dry season is approaching, but forecasters see a potential cushion. El Niño conditions are expected to persist through winter, which tends to push low-pressure systems farther south and bring more cold fronts to Florida, according to the WMNF report. That pattern favors a cooler, wetter winter than average.

Clearwater residents on reclaimed water have more flexibility. Reclaimed water may be used any day of the week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with no limit on watering days, according to the city.

The SWFWMD governing board can modify or rescind the water shortage order before March 31, 2027, if conditions improve enough.