Drought Grips Puerto Rico as NASA Aids Monitoring Efforts

1:07 AM ETDeveloping

Science Desk

In Short: As of late August 2026, much of Puerto Rico was experiencing moderate drought, with NASA contributing satellite data to enhance drought assessments.

In late August 2026, Puerto Rico was grappling with severe drought conditions, with NASA scientists joining the U.S. Drought Monitor team to strengthen assessments using satellite data and other observations.

David Mocko, a senior research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, noted that satellite estimates of soil moisture, weather patterns, streamflow, and well observations were crucial in updating Puerto Rico's drought maps.

From mid-May through mid-July, most of Puerto Rico received less than 60 percent of its normal precipitation, exacerbating the drought situation.

U.S. Drought Monitor maps, which have been published since 1999, assist federal, state, local, and tribal officials in responding to drought conditions, with NASA's contributions playing a vital role in recent updates.

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But in 2026, rain had largely failed to materialize as of late August, and much of the U.S. territory found itself in the throes of drought.
NASA has contributed Earth observations and expertise to the project for many years, and in 2026, the partnership was strengthened when two agency scientists joined the small team that authors the weekly drought…
Effects of the hot and dry conditions appeared in a variety of satellite data products and ground-based observations that the U.S. Drought Monitor considers when creating its weekly assessments, said David Mocko, a…
For recent updates to Puerto Rico’s drought maps, satellite estimates of soil moisture, as well as weather, streamflow, and well observations, were particularly important factors, he said.
As of August 25, 2026, three-quarters of Puerto Rico was experiencing at least moderate drought, according to the group’s assessment.
From mid-May through mid-July, most of Puerto Rico received less than 60 percent of normal precipitation, according to NIDIS.
U.S. Drought Monitor maps, published since 1999, assist federal, state, local, and tribal decision makers with drought response.

Sources

NASA Science (.gov)link