The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports severe drought (D2) fell from 15.16% to 8.83% of Puerto Rico
- NotiCel reported total drought coverage dropped to 34.7%, a reduction of 7% from the prior week
- Both outlets report no extreme or exceptional drought for the second week
- USDM attributes the improvement to beneficial rains that raised river flows, reservoir levels and groundwater
Drought conditions improve across Puerto Rico
The area of Puerto Rico under severe drought (D2) decreased for the second consecutive week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday. Metro Puerto Rico reported the area under severe drought fell from 15.16% to 8.83%. Metro Puerto Rico reported
NotiCel reported total drought coverage dropped to 34.7%, a reduction of 7% from the prior week. According to NotiCel, severe drought declined from 15.2% to 8.8% and moderate drought went from 26.5% to 25.8%. The report also noted abnormally dry conditions rose from 10.0% to 15.8%. The two outlets report materially different figures for moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions on the same weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update. NotiCel reported
Both sources state that drought conditions are concentrated mainly in the south and central interior of Puerto Rico, with additional areas toward the east and northeast. The report confirms Puerto Rico has no areas under extreme or exceptional drought.
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Rains credited for improvement
The U.S. Drought Monitor attributes the improvement to rains recorded during the past week. Metro Puerto Rico quoted the agency as saying a change in the weather pattern has produced beneficial rains across Puerto Rico that improved river flows, reservoir levels, monitored groundwater wells and reduced stress on crops. Metro Puerto Rico reported
The report also notes that accumulated rainfall deficits over the last 30 days have decreased in the eastern half of Puerto Rico, although some zones still received only 50% of normal precipitation. Both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel include a November monthly outlook that anticipates further improvement or elimination of drought in various zones, while identifying areas where conditions could persist. A seasonal outlook from Oct. 31, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 likewise projects improvement.
Where the sources differ
Both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel agree that severe drought decreased for the second week, that there is no extreme or exceptional drought, that rains caused the improvement, that drought is concentrated in the south and central interior with some eastern and northeastern areas affected, and that monthly and seasonal outlooks project further improvement. They differ on moderate drought and abnormally dry figures: Metro Puerto Rico reported moderate drought (D1) fell from 41.67% to 34.66% and abnormally dry (D0) from 51.63% to 50.44%, while NotiCel reported moderate drought from 26.5% to 25.8% and abnormally dry from 10.0% to 15.8%. NotiCel states total drought at 34.7% this week, a 7% reduction.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state the exact prior-week total drought percentage that would reconcile the 7% reduction claimed by NotiCel with its component figures. They provide no specific data on reservoir levels, river flows or groundwater measurements beyond general improvement. The articles do not name which municipalities remain under moderate drought or detail the size of areas that could see persistent drought in the November outlook.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Disminuye la sequía severa en Puerto Rico por segunda semana consecutiva
- Reporting Sequía disminuye a 34.7 por ciento en Puerto Rico
How we checked this
Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel both based their articles on the same weekly U.S. Drought Monitor report issued Thursday. The specific percentages for moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions rest on the individual outlets, which published materially different figures for those categories.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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