Drought Information Statement for Micronesia Valid March 07, 2025 Issued By: WFO Guam Contact Information: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 21, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gum/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Saipan and Tinian remain in D2 (Severe Drought), While Guam and Rota improved to D0 (Abnormally Dry). A drier pattern is starting to to develop across the RMI and FSM. ROP remains drought free due to ongoing wet pattern west of 145E and south of 9N. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity: D2 (Severe Drought): Marianas: Saipan & Tinian D1 (Moderate Drought): Yap State: Yap Proper & nearby islands/atolls Pohnpei State: Pingelap RMI: Kwajalein Atoll, Wotje, Utirik, and nearby islands/atolls D0 (Abnormally Dry): Marianas: Guam & Rota Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Micronesia and the rest of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands Rainfall During the Last 30 Days Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Rainfall patterns varied across the region the last couple of weeks. A shear line last week brought around 2 inches of rain to Rota and 4 inches to Guam, while Tinian and Saipan saw around half an inch of rain or less. An active trade-wind pattern brought normal to above normal rainfall to central FSM, from Chuuk State to Kosrae State, mainly between 3N and 6N for most of February. Drier than normal conditions are developing across the northern RMI, including Majuro, and starting to spread toward Pohnpei. ROP remains wetter than normal due to influences of the NET and trade-wind convergence. WSO Palau ended Feb roughly 4 inches above normal since Jan 1st. Drier weather redeveloped along the equator, near and east of 150E to beyond the Date Line, after a wet start to the last week of Feb. This includes Kapingamarangi. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts None reported at this time. Agricultural Impacts Vegetation on plantations continue to brown across most of the CNMI, however recent rains have caused vegetation to green slightly at Rota and Guam. Fire Hazard Impacts Vegetation on plantations are brown across Saipan and Tinian, keeping the wildfire threat high. Recent rainfall on Guam and Rota has caused vegetation to green up slightly, reducing the wildfire threat for the short-term, as a drier pattern has resumed. Some wildfires have been reported in the FSM, including on Pohnpei in the Kitti Municipality. The risk of fires will likely increase due to the ongoing dry pattern. There have been unofficial reports of spot fires across Yap, with Yap Proper being in a dry spell since the beginning of the year. Mitigation Actions Monitor water levels closely. Islands or atolls with a shallow water lens, or rely on water catchments, are sensitive to quick onsets of drought. Preparedness Actions Residents should report any agricultural and hydrologic impacts to local DCOs and WSOs, particularly during prolonged periods of drier weather. Reports from the islands are critical for decision-making and government responses. Drought Outlook Short-term (1-3 Week Outlook) A seasonal dry pattern is expected across the Marianas, central/eastern FSM and RMI; with a wetter pattern favored near Palau; and drier than normal conditions along the equator east of 150E, and up into the southern Marshall Islands. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazards Outlook for more info. Seasonal (3 Month Outlook) La Niña conditions appear to be weakening, favoring a transition to ENSO-neutral March-May 2025 timeframe, The long-term trend favors near normal to above normal rainfall across much of Micronesia, including the Marianas. A drier pattern with below normal rainfall will favor areas along the Equator east of 140E. Note: these trends are typical, but not guaranteed. The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook can be found on the CPC homepage Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)