Drought — Ponce and Vicinity, Puerto Rico

2022-06-21 to 2022-06-30 · Ponce and Vicinity, Puerto Rico

Event narrative

The dry spell caused mandatory water restrictions for the interior and northeast Puerto Rico, including Aibonito, Loiza, Canovanas, Rio Grande, Loiza and Las Piedras. Reservoir levels continued to recede for Carraizo, Cidra, La Plata, Carite, Guajataca, Toa Vaca and Cerrillos. The 28-day average streamflow from USGS river gauge network indicated streamflows running below normal or well below normal across most of Puerto Rico. This drought was of concern to agricultural interests, as hot and dry conditions increased water demands and stressed pastures, crops and native vegetation.

Wider weather episode

The rainfall deficit across east and south of Puerto Rico resulted in drought conditions deteriorating , with Severe Drought (D2) introduced for the northeast, south-central and around Ponce.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1040310. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.