Antigua has experienced six consecutive months of below-normal rainfall, leaving much of the island in drought conditions and raising concerns about water resources as the country enters the wetter part of the year, according to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service.
The agency’s latest Monthly Climate Summary found that rainfall conditions from December 2025 through May 2026 were severely dry across northern Antigua and moderately dry throughout the remainder of the island. The findings indicate that drought conditions have persisted for at least half a year.
The report also found that conditions worsened during the most recent three-month period. From March through May, rainfall levels were classified as severely dry across Antigua, reflecting a significant precipitation deficit during a period that would normally contribute to replenishing groundwater and surface water supplies.
Meteorologists said the Standardized Precipitation Index for May showed severely dry conditions in northern Antigua and moderately dry conditions elsewhere on the island during the previous 30 days.
The prolonged dry period comes after Antigua recorded one of its driest Mays on record. The island received an average of just 17.5 millimetres of rainfall during the month, making it the third-driest May since records began in 1928. At V.C. Bird International Airport, rainfall totaled only 14.2 millimetres, ranking as the fifth-driest May on record.
Only three wet days were recorded at the airport during the month, while Antigua experienced both an eight-day and a nine-day dry spell.
The report noted that southern and southwestern sections of Antigua received the most rainfall during May. Donkey Sanctuary in St. Paul recorded the highest monthly rainfall total at 83.8 millimetres, while Cobbs Cross registered the highest 24-hour rainfall amount at 30.7 millimetres on May 25.
In Barbuda, rainfall totaled 15.8 millimetres for the month, with the island experiencing a 14-day dry spell. While limited observational data prevented meteorologists from formally classifying drought conditions there, satellite estimates suggest Barbuda is experiencing conditions similar to those in Antigua.
Despite the rainfall shortages, temperatures across Antigua remained near normal during May, with an average daily temperature of 26.9 degrees Celsius recorded at V.C. Bird International Airport.
The Meteorological Service’s findings come as government officials continue efforts to expand water production capacity amid ongoing concerns about drought and water security.