Heavy rains fell across portions of eastern and western Puerto Rico this week, but mainly in drought-free areas. However, in southeastern Puerto Rico, D0 (abnormally dry) and D1 (moderate drought) areas were reduced in coverage where more than 3.5 inches of rain fell, eliminating short-term deficits. D0 coverage was also reduced on Vieques Island, where more than 1.5 inches of rain fell. A localized area of D0 was degraded to D1 in extreme southwest Puerto Rico, where short-term dryness has added to deficits (5-10 inch deficits in the last 90 days).

The U.S. Virgin Islands received some rain, but not enough to alter the drought status of any islands, which all remained the same as last week. The 7-day precipitation estimates (QPE) indicated that St. Thomas received 0.50 to 1.5 inch over the island. St. John received 0.25 to 0.50 inch. St. Croix received 0.50 to 1.5 inches over the western two-thirds of the island, and 0.10 to 0.50 on the eastern end of the island.

St. John remained at D0-L. The Windswept Beach CoCoRaHS station reported 0.65 inches for the week and 0.92 inches since the start of October. Other CoCoRaHS stations reported 0.66 and 0.67 inches. The year-to-date rainfall was 75.4% of normal. The Susannaberg DPW 3 Well was 18.41 feet below land surface, the lowest point since late 2017.

St. Croix remained at D1-SL. Precipitation at Henry Rohlsen AP amounted to 0.81 inches for the week and 1.48 inches since the start of October. The CoCoRaHS stations reported from 0.51 to 1.40 inches. The year-to-date rainfall was 64.8% of normal. The Adventure 28 Well was 27.36 feet below land surface and at the lowest point since late 2016.

St. Thomas remained free of dryness, but could use some rain. Precipitation at Cyril E. King AP was 0.93 inches for the week and 1.14 inches since the start of the month. The CoCoRaHS stations reported up to 0.94 inches. The year-to-date rainfall was 81.6% of normal. The Grade School 3 Well was 11.98 feet below land surface, which is an improvement from several months ago when it was 15 feet below land surface, but it is still a low level for the well.

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