Drought Information Statement for Micronesia 
Valid March 15, 2024
Issued By: WFO Guam
Contact Information:  nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov

This product will be updated March 29, 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, Kwajalein and nearby islands
Marianas: Saipan, Tinian, and Guam

D1 (Moderate Drought): 
Chuuk State: Woleai and nearby islands
Marianas: Rota
RMI: Majuro

D0 (Abnormally Dry):
Chuuk State: Chuuk Lagoon, Lukunor, and nearby islands
RMI: Jaluit and nearby islands
Pohnpei State: Pohnpei

Rainfall During the Last 30 Days
Satellite and rain gauge data show drier than normal conditions across Micronesia during the last 30 days (including most of the northwest Pacific, excluding locations closest to the equator).

Wetter than normal conditions during the last 30 days remain near and along the equator.
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  Yap State, Chuuk State, Pohnpei State,  and northern RMI.

Agricultural Impacts
On March 10 and 11, a combination of King Tides and surging trade winds and swell caused inundation across much of the RMI and eastern FSM (Kosrae). This follows a large coastal flooding event on January 20. These have resulted in crop damage for islands of central and eastern Micronesia, and possibly the RMI. The state of agricultural recover is unclear at this time. 
Wildfires have been reported on Guam, with one event burning through a reforestation project. Isolated report of wildfires include Yap and Pohnpei.

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. However, a trade-wind disturbance over the FSM will provide much-needed rainfall to many islands across Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae states, along and south of 7N.

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

Seasonal (3 Month Outlook)
The rainfall forecast through June remains drier than normal for islands near and north of 5N-7N 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