Rain Providing Some Relief to Drought-Stricken Southern U.S.

A storm tracking across the southern U.S. will continue to bring areas of heavy thunderstorms with risks for severe weather and excessive rainfall from Texas to Florida through this weekend. While much of this rainfall will be beneficial to the drought, excessive rainfall may bring areas of flash and urban flooding. Read More >

499
FXZS60 NSTU 020042
AFDPPG

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pago Pago AS
142 PM SST Fri May 1 2026

.Short term...

A trough remained weak over the American Samoa islands today.
During the late morning and early afternoon hours, showers
developed to the southwestern end of Tutuila island due to daytime
diurnal heating with light winds at the lower to middle layers of
the atmosphere. Scattered to numerous showers remain in the
forecast for all American Samoa islands through the beginning of
the weekend. If showers occur, the rainfall is not expected to be
heavy enough to cause flash flooding. Similar conditions are
expected tomorrow. Therefore, the best risk of showers come in the
late morning through the mid-afternoon. A fair mix of sun and
clouds are expected with temperatures slightly above average.

.Long term...

Visible satellite imagery currently shows a more dominant trough
to the southwest of the islands, mainly near the Fiji region and
extending eastward to Tonga, and a strong ridge to the south. This
ridge is anticipated to strengthen and move the trough closer to
the region. At this time, the ridge is not forecast to push the
consistent and heavy rainfall from the trough far enough north to
reach American Samoa. However, this is to create more clouds than
sun and still increase the likelihood for showers to
numerous/widespread from Sunday through the middle of next week.
Otherwise, winds remain a light breeze with the exception of
potentially gusty winds near showers. Temperatures are to be
average to below average. We will continue to monitor the exact
location of this trough and possibly issue a Flood Watch during
this time, if warranted.

&&

.Marine...

The PacIOOS buoys to the west of Tutuila and to the east of Aunu`u
shows seas below the Small Craft Advisory criteria. Seas remain
around 5 to 6 feet with a gentle easterly breeze. With the breeze
remaining gentle and no significant swell anticipated through
Saturday night, seas are to remain ideal. However, a southerly
swell is forecast to move through the American Samoa coastal
waters on Sunday through the first half of the upcoming week. This
is to cause seas to build to the Small Craft Advisory conditions.

&&

.PPG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

NONE

&&

$$

LaPlante