Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid June 7, 2024
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information:  nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov

This product will be updated June 21, 2024 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. 
Photo courtesy FSM Adaptation Fund

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U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Micronesia and the rest of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
Drought conditions show some improvement across much of the region, with the exception of the northern islands in Yap State and the northern RMI. 

Drought Intensity:


D3 (Extreme Drought):
Yap State: Yap Proper, Ulithi & nearby islands
Marianas: Saipan, Tinian, and Rota

D2 (Severe Drought): 
Marianas: Guam

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
Yap State: Woleai & nearby islands/atolls
RMI: Wotje & nearby islands/atolls

D0 (Abnormally Dry):
Republic of Palau: Palau
RMI: Kwajalein nearby islands/atolls



Rainfall During the Last 30 Days
Satellite and rain gauge data, indicated drier than normal conditions for Palau, northern islands of Yap State and the Marianas. Primarily for islands west of 140E. Latest TUTT activity near Yap and Palau last couple of days not included in this graphic.

Active ITCZ pattern brought needed rain to northern RMI and kept central and eastern FSM in a wetter pattern.

Wetter than normal conditions during the last 30 days have generally been around 4-6N reflecting a months-long trend of showers slowly edging northward through the FSM and the RMI. 
Map courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)



Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
Heavy showers from Invest 93W in May and current TUTT activity helped to provide short-term relief to Yap Proper, Ulithi and Fais. However, photos taken June 4th of the Gitam Reservoir on Yap Proper, show long-term impacts of the drought continue to take its toll as water levels at the reservoir are near or below levels recorded during the 2016 drought. Recent showers across the northern RMI continue to bring relief to the northern islands. 
Despite recent showers across Yap State and the northern RMI, water shortages may still occur in the coming weeks until showers become more frequent and sustained across the region. 

Agricultural Impacts
Agricultural strain was reported from assessment teams and residents from islands across Yap State: taro patches drying up and coconuts drying out; and many reports of yellowing crops.
The CNMI continues to experience dry conditions, however frequency of wildfires has decreased since peak in March-April.

Mitigation Actions
Water conservation measures are highly encouraged to continue for the dry islands of Yap State. Locations with extreme drought could see at least another month of below-normal rainfall as both dry season and the dry phase of the waning El Niño continues. 
Preparedness Actions
Residents should continue to report agricultural and hydrologic impacts to local DCOs and WSOs, even after recent showers. Reports from the islands are critical for decision-making and government responses. 

Drought Outlook
Extreme drought persists in Yap State and the CNMI.

Short-term (1-3 Weeks Outlook)
Active ITCZ and trade-wind pattern expected to bring near-normal rainfall to  RMI and eastern to central FSM (Kosrae State  to Chuuk State). Drier conditions to persist along and north of 9N, particularly the Marianas.  A drier and light wind pattern persists across ROP and Yap State as the monsoon trough struggles to develop across southeast Asia. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazard Outlook for more info.

Seasonal (3 Month Outlook)
The rainfall forecast through August remains drier than normal for islands near and north of 9N latitude; and near to wetter than normal to the south. 
Map courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook can be found on the CPC homepage