Drought Information Statement for Micronesia Valid June 5, 2025 Issued By: WFO Guam Contact Information: nws.gum.operations@noaa.gov This product will be updated June 13, 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. Drought conditions worsen from D2 to Extreme (D3) Drought for Guam and Rota Extreme Drought persists across Wotje and Utirik in the RMI Drought conditions improve from D3 to Severe (D2) Drought at Tinian and Saipan Severe Drought persists across Pingelap in Pohnpei State, and Kwajalein and Ailinglapalap in the RMI A dry pattern will persist across the central and northern RMI the next couple weeks 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity: D3 (Extreme Drought): Marianas: Guam & Rota Marshall Islands: Wotje, Utirik & nearby islands/atolls. D2 (Severe Drought): Marianas: Tinian & Saipan Pohnpei State: Pingelap Marshall Islands: Ailinglaplap, Kwajalein & nearby islands/atolls D1 (Moderate Drought): Yap State: Yap Proper & nearby islands/atolls Marshall Islands: Jaluit & nearby islands/atolls 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 continued across much of the Marshall Islands, especially for the islands north of Majuro Atoll, were drought conditions continue to worsen. Rainfall across the FSM remains 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, remained drier. 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 remain brown and dry, but with some minor improvement in the CNMI. Drier conditions persisted 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 continued to dry 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. Lighter winds have diminished the threat of rapid spread of fires that do start, but the danger remains until showers return. 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) A drier pattern will linger across the FSM for areas generally north and east of Pohnpei, and across the Marshall Islands, especially for islands north of Majuro. A wetter pattern will persist for islands near and west of Palau, currently with a monsoon pattern in place. Seasonal weather, with lighter winds and an upper level pattern (TUTT) will bring much-needed showers to the Marianas. Through 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 have returned 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)