Drought Information Statement for Micronesia Valid May 20, 2025 Issued By: WFO Guam Contact Information: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 30, 2025 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. Extreme (D3) Drought continues for Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas and Wotje in the RMI. Expanding to Utirik in the RMI. Severe (D2) Drought conditions continue at Pingelap in Pohnpei State, Ailinglapalap in the RMI, and now expanding to Guam and Rota in Marianas. Moderate (D1) Drought conditions persist across Yap Proper and Jaluit in the RMI, while Kwajalein improved from Severe (D2) to Moderate (D1). A dry pattern will persist across the Marianas, with a slightly more active trade pattern across for the rest of Micronesia. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity: D3 (Extreme Drought): Marianas: Saipan & Tinian Marshall Islands: Wotje, Utirik & nearby islands/atolls. D2 (Severe Drought): Marianas: Guam & Rota Pohnpei State: Pingelap Marshall Islands: Ailinglaplap & nearby islands/atolls D1 (Moderate Drought): Yap State: Yap Proper & nearby islands/atolls Marshall Islands: Jaluit & Kwajalein D0 (Abnormally Dry): Marshall Islands: Majuro Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Micronesia and the rest of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands Rainfall During the Last 30 Days Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) Seasonably dry conditions persisted across the Marianas as showers have remain spotty. A dry pattern also continues across much of the Marshall Islands, especially for the islands north of Majuro Atoll, were drought conditions continue to worsen. Rainfall across the FSM has been mixed. Recent trade-wind convergence and showers has brought rain to many of the islands in Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, but some islands, such as Pingelap in Pohnpei State, has just over an inch of rain in the past two weeks. Across Yap State, a wettern pattern was supported by the NET along with embedded disturbances, but Yap Proper and nearby islands have been on the northern edge of this activity. ROP remains wetter than normal due to influences of the NET and embedded disturbances that also affected Yap State. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts None reported at this time. Any reports from the northern RMI would be beneficial in monitoring local water catchments and gauging impacts of extreme drought on Wotje, Utirik & and nearby islands/atolls. Agricultural Impacts Vegetation on plantations continue to brown across most of the CNMI, with drier conditions also taking hold across Rota and Guam, where vegetation is thinning and browning at a slower rate. Photos from Rota show severe browning of vegetation which is impacting the livestock that depend the vegetation for grazing. Fire Hazard Impacts Vegetation on plantations are drying across Guam and the CNMI, keeping the wildfire threat high. The Guam fire danger remains high due to limited rainfall. There’ve been a number of reports of wildfires since the last statement. Ground reports are very welcome. The risk of fires will continue to increase due to the ongoing dry pattern, particularly during breezy conditions. Mitigation Actions Monitor water levels closely. Islands or atolls with a shallow water lens, or rely on water catchments, are sensitive to quick onsets of drought. Follow any water conservation procedures that are shared by local authorities. Preparedness Actions Residents should report any agricultural and hydrologic impacts to local DCOs and WSOs, particularly during prolonged periods of drier weather. Reports from the islands are critical for decision-making and government responses. Drought Outlook Short-term (1-3 Week Outlook) The seasonal dry pattern will continue across the Marianas the next few weeks with an inch or less of rainfall expected the next 10 days. A slightly wetter pattern, driven by an active trade-wind pattern, extends across the rest of Micronesia, including the northern RMI. However, long-range models continue to support a wettern pattern along and south of 7N, while locations north of 7N will favor drier conditions the next few weeks. By the beginning of June, drier conditions are expected to develop along the equator west of 170E. See CPC - Global Tropics Hazards Outlook for more info. Seasonal (3 Month Outlook) ENSO-neutral conditions are returning to the Pacific and are favored through the N. Hemisphere summer. The long-term trend favors near to above normal rainfall near Palau while drier conditions with below normal rainfall are predicted elsewhere, especially north of 7N. These trends are typical, but not guaranteed. The latest El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook can be found on the CPC homepage Graphic courtesy of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)