Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid July, 19, 2024
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov
This product will be updated August, 2, 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. 
DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO EASE ACROSS YAP STATE AND THE WESTERN MICRONESIA REGION
DROUGHT WORSENS ACROSS THE NORTHERN RMI DUE TO CONSECUTIVE DRY WEEKS
SHOWERS ACROSS THE RMI TO BRING SHORT-TERM RELIEF
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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):
RMI: Wotje & nearby islands/atolls

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
Yap State: Yap Proper, Ulithi & nearby islands/atolls

D0 (Abnormally Dry):
Marianas: Tinian & Saipan



Rainfall During the Last 30 Days
Satellite and rain gauge data, indicated slightly below normal rainfall over the Marianas while across most of Micronesia rainfall has been near normal, and above normal for the Republic of Palau.

Active TUTT and ITCZ pattern continues to bring rain to RMI and eastern and central FSM (Kosrae State to Chuuk State). The monsoon trough is now extending from southeast Asia and through Palau and Yap.

Near to wetter than normal conditions during the last 30 days have generally been south of 7N. 
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 
The slow transition to the summer monsoon pattern brought showers to Yap Proper, Ulithi and Fais. Drought conditions will continue to improve as showers will be more frequent, sustaining adequate rainfall needs. 
Across the RMI, drought conditions are minimal across central and southern islands, but dryness and drought persists across islands of the northern RMI. 
Showers over the northern RMI this week will provide some short-term relief, but until showers become more frequent and sustained, long-term impacts of the drought will continue to take its toll on water levels.

Agricultural Impacts
Agricultural strain across Yap State continues to improve as vegetation becomes greener from recent showers.
The CNMI continues to experience dry conditions, however frequency of wildfires has decreased since peak in March-April as there has been periods of increased rainfall due to passing disturbances and TUTTs. Reports indicate a return of greener vegetation following some recent showers.

Mitigation Actions
Water conservation measures are encouraged to continue for the drier, northern islands of the RMI.
 
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 Wotje and the  northern RMI.

Short-term (1-3 Weeks Outlook)
Active ITCZ and trade-wind pattern expected to bring near to above 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. ROP and Yap State have transitioned into a wetter monsoon pattern. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazard Outlook for more info.

Seasonal (3 Month Outlook)
The rainfall forecast through October remains drier than normal for islands near and north of 8N latitude; and near to wetter than normal to the south. La Niña is favored to develop.
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