Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid February 16, 2024
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information:  nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov

This product will be updated March 1, 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
Pohnpei State: Pingelap and nearby islands
RMI: Wotje and nearby islands

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
RMI: Kwajalein and nearby islands
Pohnpei State: Pohnpei
Chuuk State: Woleai and nearby islands
Marianas: Guam, Rota, Tinian and Saipan

D0 (Abnormally Dry):
Chuuk State: Lukunor, and nearby islands
RMI: Majuro, Mili, Jaluit and nearby islands

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

Wetter than normal conditions during the last 30 days remain near the Date Line and along the equator, but have extended into the RMI. Wetter conditions also continue at Palau. The positive phase of the MJO during the beginning of February helped to promote wetter conditions in the RMI and Palau.


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 low on some islands. Water shortages for communities are occurring, especially on the outer islands of Pohnpei State, Yap State, and northern RMI.

Agricultural Impacts
A large coastal flooding event on January 20th led to crop damage for select islands of central and eastern Micronesia. The state of agricultural recover is unclear at this time. 
Wildfires have been reported on Guam, with one event burning through a reforestation project.

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
Worsening drought is favored across much of Micronesia, especially islands near and north of 5N.

Short-term (1-3 Weeks Outlook)
Global model consensus and the Madden-Julian Oscillation favor a drier than normal pattern over much of the region through the first week of March. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazard Outlook for more info.

Seasonal (3 Month Outlook)
The rainfall forecast through May remains drier than normal for islands near and north of 5N latitude. 
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