Map released: Thurs. May 25, 2023
Data valid: May 23, 2023 at 8 a.m. EDT

Intensity

  • None
  • D0 (Abnormally Dry)
  • D1 (Moderate Drought)
  • D2 (Severe Drought)
  • D3 (Extreme Drought)
  • D4 (Exceptional Drought)
  • No Data

Authors

United States and Puerto Rico Author(s):

Pacific Islands and Virgin Islands Author(s):

The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.

Statistics

Statistics type ?
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Week Date None D0-D4 D1-D4 D2-D4 D3-D4 D4 DSCI

Estimated Population in Drought Areas:

Caribbean Drought Summary

In Puerto Rico, pounding rains provided significant drought relief, with abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1) eliminated from southern areas. Several volunteer (CoCoRaHS) observers in south-central Puerto Rico reported more than 6 inches of rain during the 7-day drought-monitoring period ending the morning of May 23. Improvement was also noted in other areas, although some D0 and D1 lingered in northwestern Puerto Rico.

Most of the U.S. Virgin Islands have remained drier-than-normal this week. The satellite data (i.e., National Weather Service’s seven-day quantitative precipitation estimates) and station observations show that the rainfall amount received over most parts of the islands was less than an inch. The one- and three-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) maps shown that conditions are still dry at St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix this week.

Specifically, St. John (Rafe Boulon/Windswept Beach) reported 0.53 inch of rain this week. The depth to water level at Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) on May 23 was 16.62 ft below land surface. The analysis showed a significant decrease in water level (about 9 ft) since November 25, when it was 7.54 ft below land surface. St. John remained in short-term moderate drought (D1-S) this week.

St. Croix (Henry Rohlsen AP) reported 0.10 inch of rain this week. The depth to water level at Adventure 28 Well (St. Croix, USVI) on May 23 was 31.22 ft below land surface. The analysis showed a significant decrease in water level (more than 6 ft) since November 25, when it was 25.04 ft below land surface. This week’s 1-month and 3-month SPI also confirms dry conditions persist on the island, so St. Croix remained in short- and long-term extreme drought (D3-SL) this week.

St. Thomas (Cyril E. King Airport) received 0.81 inch of rain this week. There was also an increase in depth to water level at St. Thomas over the past week. The depth to water level at Grade School 3 well (St. Thomas, USVI) on March 23 was 10.21 ft below land surface. Although conditions were slightly approved on the island, St. Thomas remained in short-term severe drought (D2-S) this week due to previous deficits.

Full Summary

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