July 1, 2025 National Drought Summary

The discussion in the Looking Ahead section is simply a description of what the official national guidance from the National Weather Service (NWS) National Centers for Environmental Prediction is depicting for current areas of dryness and drought. The NWS forecast products utilizedinclude the HPC 5-day QPF and 5-day Mean Temperature progs, the 6-10 Day Outlooks of Temperature and Precipitation Probability, and the 8-14Day Outlooks of Temperature and Precipitation Probability, valid as of late Wednesday afternoon of the USDM release week. The NWS forecast webpage used for this section is: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/forecasts/.

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Generally, dry weather prevailed across the U.S. Virgin Islands in June. The satellite-based precipitation estimates, obtained from the GPM IMERG Early 7-day observed precipitation maps updated today, indicate that rainfall across the Virgin Islands ranged from 0.04 to 0.4 inches this week.

On St. Croix, the weekly rainfall amount ranged from 0.34 inches at VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted, 1.9 NE) to 0.91 inches at VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W). Intermediate values included 0.52 inches at VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), 0.50 inches at VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E), 0.39 inches at VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE), and 0.37 inches at VI-SC-30 (Christiansted, 1.7 SW). The 1-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-1) value for East Hill, St. Croix, is currently -0.51, compared to -0.79 and -0.21 in the previous two weeks. According to the USGS, groundwater levels at Adventure 28 Well (St. Croix) have shown an increasing depth since mid-May but remain relatively shallow at 15.52 feet compared to last year's level of 23.73 feet. Thus, although it shows a trend towards abnormally dry conditions, St. Croix remained drought-free.

On St. Thomas, rainfall totals varied, measuring 0.08 inches at VI-ST-5 (Charlotte Amalie West, 4.2 WNW) and 0.25 inches at VI-ST-15 (Charlotte Amalie West, 1.3 N). Additionally, VI-ST-13 (Charlotte Amalie, 1.2 NNW) recorded 0.19 inches, while VI-ST-15 reported 0.13 inches, with two days of data unaccounted for. For King Airport, St. Thomas, the SPI-1 value is -0.57 (it was -0.66 last week). On July 1, 2025, the water level in the Grade School 3 well in St. Thomas was reported to be 9.86 feet below the land surface. This measurement is higher than the level recorded at the same time the previous year, which was 5.14 feet. Additionally, there has been an increasing trend in the depth of the water during June. Due to the recent dry conditions, St. Thomas is now classified as being in an abnormally dry category.

On St. John, the rainfall recorded at VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E) was only 0.08 inches. Additionally, VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach) reported 0.25 inches of rain, contributing to a total of 1.36 inches for June. As of July 1, 2025, the depth to the water level at the Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) was 11.16 feet below the land surface. This marks an increase from last week’s measurement of 10.80 feet. In comparison to the same time the previous year, when the water level was 8.14 feet, this indicates a significant rise. Consequently, St. John is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Pacific: Alaska

Hawaii

This week, most areas of the Marshall Islands experienced drier-than-normal conditions, except for the southeastern region. Ailinglapalap and Kwajalein recorded only 1.10 and 1.15 inches of rain, respectively, worsening the drought conditions from moderate to severe. Jaluit also experienced a decline, reporting just 0.85 inches of rain, leading to extreme drought conditions. Meanwhile, Utirik and Wotje received only 1.52 and 0.08 inches of rainfall, respectively, keeping them in extreme drought status. In contrast, Majuro and Milli experienced significant rain, with reports of 3.94 and 3.1 inches, respectively, which allowed both islands to remain drought-free.

Normal weather conditions have been observed across the Federated States of Micronesia following recent heavy rains. This week, Chuuk Lagoon, Kosrae, Lukunor, and Nukuoro received rainfall amounts of 6.05, 3.18, 2.52 (with 3 days missing), and 2.67 inches, respectively. This significant precipitation has helped these islands remain drought-free. Kapingamarangi reported only 1.17 inches of rain this week. However, due to substantial rainfall in the previous weeks, the island is also drought-free. Pingelap experienced three consecutive weeks of heavy rainfall, accumulating 2.12 inches of rain this week, although one day of rainfall remains unaccounted for. This significant precipitation improved the island's conditions from severe drought to long-term moderate drought. Additionally, Woleai and Yap received 1.31 inches and 4.73 inches of rain, respectively, allowing both islands to remain drought-free. There was no data available for Fananu and Ulithi, so no assessment could be made of those locations.

Normal conditions were observed across American Samoa. Pago Pago reported no rain, with five days missing. However, Siufaga Ridge and Toa Ridge recorded 2.77 and 0.57 inches of rain this week, respectively. Therefore, American Samoa remains drought-free.

Normal conditions prevailed across Palau. Koror reported 4.04 inches of rain this week, enabling the island to remain drought-free.

Wet conditions have impacted the Mariana Islands this week. According to the weekly rainfall report, Rota and Guam received 5.78 inches and 7.82 inches of rain, respectively. As a result, both islands have transitioned from moderate and severe drought conditions to long-term abnormally dry conditions. Additionally, Tinian and Saipan recorded 2.38 inches and 3.47 inches of rain, respectively. This rainfall has improved their status from severe and extreme drought to long-term severe drought conditions.

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