Extreme Drought Covers Entire USVI as Ponds Dry, Cistern Water Runs Short and Hotter Fall Looms

St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John are now classified as being in Extreme Drought, following record or near-record warmth and dryness that has depleted ponds, stressed vegetation, increased agricultural costs and left insufficient water for some residents to fill their cisterns. Both Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas recorded their driest June on record. The May-through-July period was also the second driest across the islands since recordkeeping began in the early 1950s. The regional drought update, based on information available as of 5 p.m. Atlantic time on July 21, also warns that conditions are likely to persist or expand through early fall. Forecast models show a greater than 70 percent chance of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from August through October. Region Dried Rapidly After Wetter Start to Year The U.S. Caribbean experienced wetter-than-normal conditions during l...