Conditions were dry over Puerto Rico this week. Below-normal rainfall amounts, along with stressed vegetation, low soil moisture, and depleting groundwater and lake levels, resulted in the introduction of abnormal dryness in southern parts of the island.
The rainfall situation for the U.S. Virgin Islands from May 6 to May 12, 2026, was characterized by a dry, stable weather pattern, with total rainfall significantly below seasonal averages. Although isolated showers did occur, they were mainly a result of shallow moisture moving rapidly within the trade winds.
This week, St. Croix experienced light rainfall, with totals reported in descending order. VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE) received the highest amount at 0.78 inches, followed by VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW) with 0.34 inches and VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE) measuring 0.19 inches. VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E) recorded 0.16 inches, while VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W) received 0.08 inches. Finally, VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9 NE) reported the lowest amount of 0.07 inches. These measurements reflect the light rains experienced across the island. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) value for East Hill over the past month was -0.85, indicating short-term abnormally dry conditions. Similarly, the SPI values for Christiansted Hamilton at 1, 3, and 6 months were -0.72, -0.82, and -2.67, respectively, indicating drought conditions in the western parts of St. Croix. As of May 12, 2026, the water level at Adventure 28 Well in St. Croix, USVI, was 21.01 feet, which is an increase from the previous week. This level is also higher than the level on the same date last year (May 14, 2025), when it was 14.85 feet, further indicating that St. Croix is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas recorded 0.06 inches of rainfall this week. As of May 7, 2026, the one-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at the airport was -0.95, indicating drier-than-normal conditions. Additionally, the rainfall total for VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West, 1.3 N) was 0.15 inches. The depth to the water level below the land surface at the Grade School 3 well in St. Thomas has continued to increase since April 20, 2026. On May 12, 2026, the depth was measured at 8.32 feet, which contributes to the island being in an abnormally dry condition.
Similarly, St. John experienced low rainfall this week, with only 0.29 inches recorded at VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach) and just 0.23 inches at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E). Additionally, the water level at the Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) was measured at 13.84 feet below the land surface on May 12. This represents a significant increase from last year, when the water level was 8.92 feet below land surface on the same date in 2025. These indicate that St. John is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
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