Extreme drought conditions extend from coast to coast in South Florida

More than 82% of Florida is suffering from drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme, according to NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System .

Two areas of extreme drought exist in the state, with the largest in South Florida now extending from coast to coast.

The drought is keeping the number of wildfires burning in the state high, with 102 burning Friday, May 2, according to the Florida Fire Service.

There is a possibility of rain this weekend.

There are 23 counties under burn bans , almost one-third of the state's 67 counties.

The mean statewide drought index is at 488.

Extreme drought conditions expand across Florida

NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System said 82.2 percent of Florida is under drought conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme.

How dry is it in Florida? Will it rain soon?

"Rainfall deficits over the last 90 days have reached widespread of 2-4" inches below normal throughout most of the state, with areas north of and along the I-10 corridor as well as much of South Florida seeing larger departures near 4-8” below normal," according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

Even North Florida and the Panhandle is seeing abnormally dry conditions and moderate drought.

The Climate Prediction Center is "predicting above-normal temperatures for the entire state and leaning below normal rain chances throughout the Big Bend and the Peninsula for the month of May," according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management.

Rain chances are expected to increase for some areas over the weekend, though, especially on the state's west coast and east-central Florida, according to the National Weather Service.

See the map: Active wildfires reported across Florida

Where are the largest fires currently burning in Florida?

There were 16 active wildfires burning as of Friday morning.

How do Florida brush fires get their names?

"Wildfire names are generally based on the geographic location of the fire or a nearby geographic feature," according to Tim Brown, communications manager with the Florida Forest Service, in an email.

"For example, the '344 Fire' was due to its location near 344 Street."

Will it rain today in Florida?

Don't look for any rain Friday for most of Florida, but isolated showers — only 20% chances — are possible in the morning and early afternoon south of Patrick Space Force Base. Isolated showers and lightning storms are possible near the St. Lucie/Martin County coasts, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

Florida weather forecast for Friday, May 2:

Interactive map: Enter your address to find closest wildfire risks

Current drought conditions in Florida

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index mean for Florida was 488 on May 2. The drought index uses a scale from 0, which is very wet, to 800, which is very dry.

As of May 1, there were 14 counties with a drought index over 600, which means severe drought conditions with an increased risk for wildfires.

There were 17 Florida counties with a mean Keetch-Byram Drought Index over 500, which means drought or increased fire danger.

Counties in bold were just added to each section.

Another eight of Florida's 67 counties have index numbers in the 400s.

What do the drought numbers mean?

Here's an explanation of what the Keetch-Byram Drought Index numbers mean, according to the Wildland Fire Assessment System.

23 counties in Florida under burn bans

NWS radar: How close is needed rain to Florida?

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And subscribe here .