Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid February 2, 2024
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information:  nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov

This product will be updated February 16, 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 is expanding across Micronesia

Drought Intensity

D2 (Severe Drought): 
Yap State: Yap, Ulithi and nearby islands

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
RMI: Majuro, Wotje, Mili and nearby islands 
Pohnpei

D0: (Abnormally Dry):
Pohnpei State: Pingelap and nearby islands
Chuuk State: Lukunor, Woleai, and nearby islands
Marianas: Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan
RMI: Kwajalein, Jaluit and nearby islands

Rainfall During the Last 30 Days
Satellite and rain gauge data show large swath of drier than normal conditions across much of eastern Micronesia during the last 30 days (including Pohnpei State, Kosrae State and the RMI).

Wetter than normal conditions remain anchored the Date Line and along the equator. Wettern condition have also spread to Palau due the effects of the Near-Equatorial Trough (NET) and Shear Lines. 


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 
Water catchment levels are likely low on some islands. Water shortages are possible for communities that rely on well water. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, some improvements are expected. Jaluit atoll, which reported dry drinking water catchments, recorded 3.57 inches this week. Majuro also saw 3.52 inches, which fell near the end of the reporting period, likely improving the situation there as it was reported that the airport reservoir water level dropped from over 32 million gallons on January 1st to 26 million on January 18th.
 
Agricultural Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time.

Mitigation Actions
Water conservation measures are highly encouraged as both dry season and the dry phase of El Niño continue to spread across the region.

Preparedness Actions
Residents should report agricultural and hydrologic impacts to local DCOs and WSOs. Reports from the islands are critical for decision-making and government responses. 

Drought Outlook
The ongoing El Niño will likely lead to worsening drought across much of Micronesia during the next several months

Previous strong to very strong El Niño events have led to widespread, impactful droughts across Micronesia
In the short-term, the enhanced (convective) phase of the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is favored for the Western Pacific for the first half of February. This may help to promote rainfall along the NET and other disturbance moving through the region, however El Niño will continue to support an overall dry pattern across Micronesia.
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