Drought Information Statement for the Main Hawaiian Islands 
Valid November 15, 2024
Issued By: WFO Honolulu, HI
Contact Information: w-hfo.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated December 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. 

Extreme drought over the lower leeward slopes of Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi. Severe drought remains over leeward Oʻahu, Maui, and Lānaʻi. 

U.S. Drought Monitor
Leeward areas remained generally dry while windward areas received rainfall. 
Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Developed over leeward Molokaʻi, and remains over leeward Kauaʻi. 
D2 (Severe Drought): Remains over leeward Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, and increased in coverage over Maui County. 
D1 (Moderate Drought): Remains over most leeward areas from Maui to Kauaʻi, and a small portion of the Big Island. 
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Remains over most leeward areas from Maui to Kauaʻi, and the South Kohala District of the Big Island.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change.
Drought worsened: Leeward Molokaʻi.
Drought improved: Windward Kauaʻi and leeward Big island. 
No Change: Leeward areas from Maui County to Kauaʻi.
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened: Some of the leeward and interior sections of Maui County.
Drought improved: Most of the Big Island, and windward areas from Maui County to Kauaʻi. 
No Change: Some of the leeward areas from Maui County to Kauaʻi, and portions of the North Kona and South Kohala Districts on the Big Island.


Precipitation
After a relatively dry first half of the month, an increase in low level moisture and unstable conditions aloft helped produce near to above average rainfall over most of the windward slopes. 
Leeward areas, especially from Maui to Kauaʻi, had mostly near to below average rainfall. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts
None.
Agricultural Impacts
Rangelands in leeward areas of Kauaʻi and Oʻahu continue to indicate drought conditions (Hawaiʻi Rangeland Information Portal).
Rangelands in leeward areas of Maui County remain degraded (Condition reports and NDVI data).
Fire Hazard Impacts
A brush fire in central Maui ignited on November 14 and continues today (November 15). 
Other Impacts
None.
Mitigation Actions
None. 

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
The 14-day streamflow levels were near to above normal at nearly all sites in the state. 
The 28-day streamflow levels were near to above normal at nearly all sites in the state.
Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow map.

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Climate models favor above normal precipitation across the main Hawaiian Islands from late 2024 into spring 2025.
Leeward drought is expected to improve or end over the next several months.