Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid March 8, 2024
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated April 12, 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/hfo/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 


U.S. Drought Monitor
Cooler and more stable weather during February resulted in drier than average conditions over many areas of the state. 

Drought intensity and Extent
D1 (Moderate Drought): Developed over the lower leeward slopes of Maui, and along a northwest to southeast band over the Big Island.
D2 (Severe Drought): Developed over the interior sections of the Big Island.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
D2 development over the interior of the Big Island. 
D1 development over leeward Maui and portions of the Big Island.
Four week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought redevelopment over the Big Island and Maui County.
Return of abnormal dryness to leeward areas of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu. 

Precipitation
Many areas of the state had below 50 percent of average rainfall in February. 
Windward slopes of Maui and Molokaʻi, and the Kona and lower Hāmākua slopes of the Big Island were the main exceptions with above average rainfall. 
Image Captions: February 2024 rainfall totals (in inches) from the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal. 

Summary of Impacts
Agricultural Impacts
Pastures along some of the northern slopes of Mauna Kea were very dry. Condition reports from the Hāmākua and Kohala slopes indicated that the lower amounts of rain combined with cooler temperatures recently have limited forage growth. 
Mitigation Actions
A Stage 1 Water Shortage for the Upcountry water service area on Maui remains in effect. The Stage 1 Water Shortage puts restrictions on the use of water for certain activities such as irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles, and other non-essential activities.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Most of the gages across the state indicated normal 14-day average flow levels.
The 28-day average flow levels are mostly in the normal range across the state. Most of the below normal sites are on Oʻahu.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map valid March 7, 2024.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Climate models favor below normal precipitation across the main Hawaiian Islands into spring 2024, which may result in the development or persistence of drought in some areas.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released Feb 29, 2024 valid for Mar 1 - May 31, 2024