Map released: Thurs. April 25, 2024
Data valid: April 23, 2024 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, wet conditions this week led to removal of an area of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1) in eastern Puerto Rico, leaving only one remaining area of lingering drought in the northwestern portion of Puerto Rico.

This week, near-normal conditions continued across the U.S. Virgin Islands. On St. John, rainfall amounts reported at VI-SJ-4 (Cruz Bay 0.8 NE) and VI-SJ-5 (Cruz Bay 1.6 E) were 2.02 and 1.05 inches, respectively. In addition, VI-SJ-3 (Windswept Beach) observed 2.56 inches of rain during the USDM week. Experts reported that rainfall this month (April) is up to 3.63 inches as of the data cutoff for this week, with more than half of that total falling early in the week. This marks the wettest April in this location since 2008, when 3.79 inches fell for the entire month. The depth to water level at Susannaberg DPW 3 well (St. John, USVI) on April 23, 2024 was 11.19 ft below land surface, which has slightly decreased this week due to the recent rains. So, St. John remained free of drought.

On St. Croix, heavy showers were observed this week. The weekly rainfall amount across the island ranged from 3.30 inches at VI-SC-35 (Frederiksted 1.3 ENE) to 5.41 inches at VI-SC-30 (Christiansted 1.7 SW). Intermediate values included 4.77 inches at VI-SC-10 (Christiansted 1.6 E), 3.79 inches at VI-SC-20 (Frederiksted 1.7 ESE), 5.05 inches at VI-SC-23 (Christiansted 6.5 W), 4.23 inches at VI-SC-25 (Christiansted 4.4W), 3.32 inches at VI-SC-29 (Frederiksted 2.5 NNE) and 3.38 inches at VI-SC-34 (Frederiksted 1.9NE). Because of heavy rains in recent days, the depth to water level at Adventure 28 Well (St. Croix, USVI) on April 23, 2024 was 27.78 ft below land surface, decreasing from last week (30.42ft). Thus, St. Croix remained drought free.

On St. Thomas, rainfall totals this week ranged from 0.17 inch at VI-ST-14 (Nadir 0.3E/Tropical Marine) to 1.89 inches at VI-ST-5 (Charlotte Amalie West 4.2 WNW). In addition, 1.12 inches of rain was reported at VI-ST-13 (Charlotte Amalie 1.2 NNW). Also, Cyril E King AP reported 0.17 inches of rain this week. Due to recent rains, the depth to water level at Grade School 3 well (St. Thomas, USVI) observed on April 23, 2024 was 8.52 ft below land surface, decreasing from last week (10.35 ft). However, St. Thomas remained in long-term abnormally dry conditions (D0-L) this week.

Full Summary

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