Severely dry conditions continued to affect Puerto Rico, with only the northwestern parts of the Commonwealth receiving enough rainfall to ease conditions slightly in some areas. The dryness has taken its toll on much of the Commonwealth, with any rainfall providing localized, temporary relief at best outside northwestern sections. Planned water service interruptions may be needed soon to try and maintain enough water for necessary activities. San Juan reported its driest July since records began in 1899 (0.54 inch, 9 percent of normal) and its driest June-July period (2.06 inches, 20 percent of normal). Meanwhile, Jajome Alto reported 3.15 inches (normal is 12.37 inches) and Juncos measured 2.20 inches (normal 12.28 inches). Some agricultural water rationing has been necessary in southern irrigation districts, and unofficial reports indicate a 69 percent decline in coffee production due to the drought, along with reduced yields of peppers and fruits. Two major reservoirs have had to make operational adjustments due to low water stores, while 5 others may need to undertake similar adjustments in the near future. Considering all these factors, some improvements were introduced in northwestern reaches of the Island this week, but other locations were either unchanged or deteriorated. Extreme drought (D3) was introduced along the southern tier of central and western Puerto Rico, where impacts seem to have ramped up the most quickly. In addition, D2 (severe drought) was expanded into lower central Puerto Rico, and also from the central Commonwealth northeastward to connect to another swath of D2 already sitting over part of northeastern Puerto Rico.

Extreme drought persists for all the U.S. Virgin Islands this week. CoCoRaHS stations across St. Croix Island recorded anywhere from 0 to 0.09” this week. Areas of St. John Island recorded between 0.06 and 0.65” of rain this week. The Windswept Beach station recorded 0.51” of rain this week. St. Thomas Island had received 0.55” of rain this week from CoCoRaHS stations. The Adventure 28 Well recorded water depth of 24.6 ft. as of this week. This is 0.12 ft. lower compared to last week and 7.57 ft. lower compared to last year. The Susannaberg DPW 3 Well recorded a water depth of 17.43 ft. as of this week. This is 0.25 ft. lower compared to last week and 4.57 ft. lower compared to last year. The Grade School 3 Well has a water depth of 5.92 ft. as of this week. This is 0.02 ft. lower than last week and 0.42 ft. lower compared to last year. Vegetation Health Index (VHI) values for all the islands were considerably lower compared to last year. While St. John and St. Croix islands have VHI values ranging from 12-24 and 12-48, respectively, St. Thomas Island had VHI values range from 36-48.

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